Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 April 2024
50. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media whether she had any discussions with the military authorities in relation to the possibility of retaining the LÉ Eithne as an item of historic importance and its future use in a maritime or navy museum on Haulbowline, Cork, to add to the tourism attractions of Cork city and its environs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17076/24]
View answerWhile I have not any contact with the military authorities relating to the LÉ Eithne, I have however been made aware that Fáilte Ireland has previously been approached by Cork City Council about the LÉ Eithne and the possibility of it being used as a tourist attraction. In the past, Fáilte Ireland shared research with my Department that was conducted in the past on Maritime Ship experiences, which showed that international visitors do not associate Ireland with having a military maritime heritage. More recently following a study concluded by Fáilte Ireland, it was determined that the LE Eithne would not be a sustainable visitor attraction.
As outlined to the House on 9 April by the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, the Department of Defence engaged with a number of organisation who initially expressed an interest in taking the LÉ Eithne and following some lengthy discussions, all parties withdrew their interest. I understand that recently a contract has been signed for the removal of the ship from Cork Harbour for recycling in line with the EU Ships Recycling Regulation and relevant national regulations.
In February 2024, Fáilte Ireland, in partnership with Cork County Council, Cork City Council and Port of Cork announced their plans to develop a Cork Harbour Tourism Plan, which will enhance the visitor experience and unlock the tourism potential of Cork Harbour. This visionary plan, which will be a key element of Fáilte Ireland’s 5-year Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP) for Cork City, Harbour and East Cork, aims to position Cork Harbour as a world-class tourism destination and support the sustainable development of this area into a must-visit destination. Plans are currently under way and aim to be completed by the middle of 2025.
The plan will identify opportunities to enhance Cork’s tourism offering and create a focal point for Cork’s maritime story, seeking to improve accessibility, capacity, interpretation, visitor facilities, visitor flow as well as visitor experiences. It will also include a high-level review of visitor orientation in the Cork Harbour area with recommendations to improve transport, look at sustainable transport initiatives and encourage a greater spread of visitors throughout the area.
This plan outlines a significant sustainable tourism development opportunity for Cork Harbour, which is the largest natural harbour in the Northern Hemisphere but is currently underutilised from a leisure tourism perspective. There is an opportunity to increase visitor numbers to the Cork Harbour area by building on the uniqueness offered by the Cork Harbour islands, which are supported by great on-water experiences linking the harbour islands and harbour communities.
Developing on the existing greenways, blueways and transport links will increase the accessibility of Cork Harbour and its communities to Cork City, and enabling improved land and sea linkages between the City and Harbour will create something that is unique on the island of Ireland.
