Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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17. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when he will publish a new national tourism policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62076/25]

Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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In line with the Government’s commitment under the Programme for Government, I will officially launch Ireland’s new National Tourism Policy Statement in early December. This policy statement will reflect tourism’s repositioning within the enterprise and economic agenda and will set out a clear strategic direction for the sector to 2030, with a particular focus on the next five years.

This Government has already taken decisive steps to support the sector in 2025. These include increased investment under the revised National Development Plan, the reduction of VAT on food and catering services to nine percent from July 2026 as announced in Budget 2026, and a commitment from the Minister for Transport to address the passenger cap at Dublin Airport to safeguard connectivity and capacity.

The new policy will prioritise increasing visitor numbers, boosting revenue, and supporting employment. It will place a strong emphasis on SMEs, sustainability, and digital transformation. It will also reinforce tourism’s role in driving balanced regional development, with a particular focus on developing less mature tourism areas and unlocking the potential of rural and regional Ireland. This includes targeted investment in regional tourism infrastructure, support for regenerative tourism projects, and initiatives to promote Ireland’s diverse tourism regions such as the Hidden Heartlands, Ireland’s Ancient East, the Wild Atlantic Way, and Dublin.

Building on the objectives of the 2024 Tourism Policy Framework, the Statement will retain a strong focus on sustainability while responding to the Government’s broader ambition to diversify Ireland’s tourism offering and source markets. It will place the competitiveness of SMEs at the heart of our developmental approach, ensuring the sector continues to contribute meaningfully to Ireland’s economy

This Government is committed to growing and strengthening Ireland’s tourism industry. Through the implementation of the new National Policy Statement, we will showcase Ireland as a high-quality and accessible destination for both national and international visitors.