I can swap with Deputy Gibney if she wants to take my time.

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I am down the list a bit, so I can swap with Deputy Gibney and she can take my slot.

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9. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he will report on his proposals to cultivate cross-Border tourism. [62277/25]

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Will the Minister outline to the House his work on the promotion of cross-Border tourism?

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I thank the Minister and welcome his response. As Ireland's largest indigenous industry, tourism is a crucial sector and our largest regional employer. It is right that Ireland is marketed by Tourism Ireland on an all-Ireland basis and I welcome efforts to link the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route. In effect, this is nearly a circuit of the island of Ireland for tourism trails. Will the Minister speak to any plans to complete the circuit and to link and extend Ireland's Ancient East into the North but also in terms of Ulster being a destination? Will he also speak to his work to encourage cross-Border tourism in terms of Donegal, Derry, Monaghan, Tyrone, Armagh and Cavan?

Sentiment score: 0.29

I look forward to seeing that tourism policy. I hope the Minister incorporates a rail network that runs through Monaghan, Cavan and Donegal. If you look at the top of Ireland on the map, we have no rail network up there. I know it is not the Minister's Department but I hope he is working with the Department of Transport to ensure that happens. It is not on at this stage. The maximum potential across the avenue of tourism will require an accurate understanding of how the tourism sector is performing. For some time now there seems to be some confusion on that point. The Central Statistics Office, CSO, has been recording a decline in visitors this year, which some stakeholders have refuted. Any confusion should now be put to rest given the latest tourism barometer from Fáilte Ireland. It shows that 43% of all tourism businesses reported a fall in income this summer. The situation seems to be worst outside the coastal tourism trails. Will the Minister outline his response to this and his efforts to support the industry and promote jobs in the sector? Will he also speak on the rail network and whether he has discussed it with the Minister for Transport?

Sentiment score: 0.04