Following record growth in tourism to Ireland in recent years, overseas visitor numbers to Ireland in 1995 amounted to 4.25 million. Taking into account regional and seasonal spread and local population densities, this would not be seen as constituting mass tourism by international standards. Nevertheless, in view of the experience of other tourism destinations, understandable concerns have been expressed about the negative effect that tourism growth can have on the environment.
Statutory responsibility for environmental protection generally rests with the Minister for the Environment while the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht has certain statutory responsibilities specifically in relation to the protection of heritage areas. I understand that the Heritage Services — National Parks and Wildlife Services and National Monuments and Historic Properties Service — of the Department of Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht operate an ongoing review of the impact of visitors on heritage sites in order that suitable control and management procedures are exercised and applied as necessary.