Ken O'Flynn (Cork North-Central, Independent Ireland Party)
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424. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department, through Fáilte Ireland or other agencies, will provide support to Cork City Council and local stakeholders in promoting an area (details supplied) as a site of cultural and natural heritage with potential for UNESCO recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48604/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I should clarify that regional tourism promotion is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland, in collaboration with Local Authorities and other tourism stakeholders. Cork is represented by three regional tourism brands: Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s Ancient East, and Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. Cork City is represented by Ireland’s Ancient East.

Fáilte Ireland has established localised Destination Experience Development Plans (DEDPs) to activate these brands. The DEDPs are 5-year sustainable tourism development plans for a destination, which bring public and private sector organisations together to prioritise tourism development projects and maximise their chance for success. The DEDP’s are highly collaborative in nature, involving all local stakeholders and this is reflected in the agreed action plans where ownership is assigned among the various parties.

The Cork City, Harbour and East Cork DEDP launched last November provides the strategic framework to prioritise tourism development projects that will attract more visitors to the region and encourage them to stay longer. Fáilte Ireland has assembled a group of stakeholders consisting of Local Authority representatives, industry representatives and community representatives to collectively oversee the implementation of this five-year DEDP. The group plans to meet approximately four times a year to discuss and review progress, and to assist with advice and decision making in relation to the actions of the DEDP.

I understand from Fáilte Ireland that no specific proposal for the area, referenced by the Deputy, is included in the Cork City, Harbour and East Cork DEDP. However, Fáilte Ireland will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders, such as Cork City Council, where appropriate, in relation to tourism focused amenities and related matters.