Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022
269. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the progress made by her Department in respect of its targets and goals set out in the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development under the policy remit of her Department; if these targets and goals will be met by their respective deadlines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7287/22]
View answerSubstantial progress has been achieved in recent months in respect of reviewing Ireland’s implementation of Agenda 2030 and identifying key priorities and actions for inclusion in the next National Implementation Plan. It is intended that the draft Plan will be made available shortly and will form the basis of discussion at the next Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) National Stakeholder Forum. This will allow for a final round of input from stakeholders prior to finalisation and publication.
Ireland has adopted a ‘whole-of-Government’ approach to achieving the SDGs, with each Minister having responsibility for implementing individual SDG targets related to their functions. My Department has responsibility for leading implementation of the following specific targets under SDGs 8, 11 and 12.
Target 8.9 - By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.
The Government’s Tourism Policy Statement, People, Place, and Policy: Growing Tourism to 2025, affirms that it will place tourism as a key element of its economic strategy, with development in the tourism sector reflecting the highest standards of environment and economic sustainability.
As we look to rebuild the tourism sector in a post-pandemic world, my Department has initiated the development of a new national tourism policy that will seek to mainstream sustainability. This policy commitment will seek to deliver on Ireland’s ambition to be among the world-leaders in sustainable tourism practices from not only an environmental but also a social and economic perspective.
This new policy will build upon the work undertaken by the Sustainable Tourism Working Group, under the aegis of my Department, which has developed Guiding Principles for Sustainable Tourism Development in Ireland.
Target 11.4 - Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage
Together with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage which has primary responsibility for the protection and safeguarding of Ireland’s natural heritage, my Department has responsibility for safeguarding elements of Ireland’s rich cultural heritage including our arts and culture, our sports and Gaeltacht communities. In that regard, in 2015 Ireland ratified the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Since 2017, our unique practices of Uilleann Piping, Hurling and Irish Harping have been recognised by UNESCO and inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In December 2021, Falconry in Ireland joined 23 other countries as part of a multinational inscription to the UNESCO Representative List. My Department has also developed a National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage where 38 practices have been inscribed. This work by my Department, in close cooperation with the communities concerned and with international partners, strengthens awareness raising and supports the safeguarding of our rich and diverse cultural heritage. More information on the National Inventory and practices can be found here nationalinventoryich.chg.gov.ie/.
Target 12.b - Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products.
The Government's Tourism Policy Statement has been implemented by way of two Tourism Action Plans, initially from 2016-2018 and latterly from 2019-2021. The implementation of the most recent Action Plan was interrupted by the need to respond to the devastating impact the COVID-19 crisis has wrought on the Irish tourism sector.
However, this Action Plan contained an action providing for the establishment of a working group to review international best practice in sustainable tourism and to propose guiding principles for sustainable tourism development in Ireland. The Sustainable Tourism Working Group completed its work on this action in late 2019 and its report was subsequently published and is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/fff4eb-sustainable-working-group-report/. The report set out the ambition that “Ireland will seek to be amongst the world-leaders in sustainable tourism practices” and it also set out accompanying Guiding Principles for Sustainable Tourism Development in Ireland.
Late last year I brought a report to Government, developed by the Sustainable Tourism Working Group, which identifies a suite of actions that will promote sustainable tourism practices out to 2023. The successful implementation of the actions identified in this interim action plan will establish new research methods, which will increase the level of evidence available, and form a clear narrative for communicating about the sustainability agenda to build a better understanding and awareness among tourism stakeholders and the general public. It will also ensure that sustainability is taken into account in policy development, business planning by the tourism agencies and industry as well as in destination management and promotional activity.
