Wild Atlantic Way Project

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2015

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Questions (776)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

776. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the Seven Arches at Portsalon in County Donegal, one of County Donegal’s most iconic landmarks on the Wild Atlantic Way, has been excluded from development and promotion, on the basis of limited access; the measures that will be put in place to have this site re-opened to public access, either by land or sea; the person or body which has ownership of the Seven Arches; the length of time it has remained closed; and when the public were last allowed free access to this site. [34633/15]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

While my Department provides capital funding to Fáilte Ireland for investment in tourism attractions, it is not directly involved in developing or managing these. The role of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national policy.

I understand that land access to the Seven Arches cave, located in Portsalon, Donegal, is in private ownership, and as such I have no remit over how access to the land is managed.