147. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the national tourism food strategy, in regard to timelines and funding which will enhance the tourism sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45619/26]

Sentiment score: 0.01

Will the Minister provide an update on the national tourism strategy, particularly with regard to the timelines and funding that will be required to enhance our food tourism sector?

Sentiment score: 0.00

It is great that 34% of tourism funding is directed towards food and drink, but that also highlights the scope we have to develop it even further. As a result, I welcome this strategy. However, a strategy is only as good as its implementation. As the Minister saw last Monday when he came to launch the Louth tourism strategy, we in County Louth have so much to offer. People can have oysters in Carlingford. They can go to The Glyde Inn in Annagassan and have all the fish delicacies we have to offer in County Louth. The best fish and chips are up in Clogherhead, while the best steak is over at the Monasterboice Inn, formerly known as Donegan's. We have all of that. We need to build the food strategy, along with the culture and heritage of the county, as do many towns and villages across the country at a regional level. How will the Minister develop that in practical terms?

Sentiment score: 0.21

The Minister is exactly right. We have food and drink of the highest quality produced at a local level by great producers in County Louth. The core element to producing this food and drink is our farmers. Our farmers are struggling at the moment, particularly those in the tillage sector. I call on the Minister to co-ordinate and co-operate with the Minister for agriculture to ensure that from beginning to end, the chain is able to sustain a long-term food tourism strategy in County Louth and across the country. Without a good, strong agricultural sector, we will not be in a position to continue to produce the high-quality food and drink that we can offer tourists in Ireland. They then go home to America, France, Italy, Japan or South Africa and talk about the wonders of Irish food and drink. As a result, we have a strong export sector.

Sentiment score: 0.06