Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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69. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans to extend the branding of our national tourism product (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40060/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Enhancing cross-border cooperation and connections is a key ambition of this Government and tourism is an important asset towards achieving this goal.

By continuing to support the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, the Government seeks to strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a high-quality, accessible destination for both domestic and international visitors while also further integrating tourism offerings on an all-island basis.

The announcement in February of up to €23 million in Government funding from the Department of the Taoiseach for future Shared Island projects under the Shared Destinations Programme 2025-2030 will see initiatives in Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Geopark, Sliabh Beagh and Carlingford Lough receive funding for the development of cross-border trails, enhanced amenities and wayfinding to improve the visitor experience and encourage more domestic and international visitors to explore these regions.

The All-Island Strategic Tourism Group, established in 2024, is co-chaired by senior officials in my Department and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland and has representatives from the three tourism agencies on the Island - Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland.

This group will provide a strategic approach, aligned to policy priorities, to the development and further integration of tourism offerings on an all-island basis, including any collaborative plans in relation to regional tourism experience brands. The next meeting of the group is scheduled for autumn 2025.