Under the British Irish Agreement Act 1999, one of the functions set out for the loughs agency of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission is the development of marine tourism. The Act also provides that this function will include the preparation of a strategic plan for marine tourism in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. It also provides for the promotion and marketing of those areas, including grant aid and co-ordination of the delivery of the development strategy.
Last October my ministerial counterpart in Northern Ireland, Mr. Ian Pearson MP, and I gave our approval for the agency to engage a consultancy to carry out a study to examine the development potential of marine related tourism and recreational activities in both Carlingford Lough and Lough Foyle and the role of the loughs agency in promoting that development. I am advised by the agency that it now proposes to carry out the study in co-operation with the north west cross-Border group, on which Donegal County Council has representation, and the east Border region group.
I am assured by the agency that the study will draw on all relevant reports that have been published to date on marine tourism in Lough Foyle, including those produced by the county council. There will also be wide consultation with interested parties in the Donegal area. I urge all stakeholders, and particularly State agencies, North and South, involved in the development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas, to work closely together to ensure that their full potential for marine tourism is realised.
I am advised by the agency that it was invited to contribute to the independent expert report on the development of marinas and sea angling centres commissioned by the DCC during its preparation. There is ongoing interaction between the council and the agency through various fora and I am advised that they work closely at many levels.