Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2023
106. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media further to Parliamentary Question No. 139 of 29 September 2022, if she can confirm if Fáilte Ireland have engaged with Dublin City Council about potentially opening the Dublin Fruit Market as a tourist attraction on a full-time basis. [8606/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that Dublin Fruit Market is owned by Dublin City Council. Neither I, my Department nor any of its agencies has any involvement in or accountability for the market.
My role and that of my Department officials in relation to tourism lies primarily in the area of national tourism policy development and in securing resources to assist the tourism agencies, Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland, in implementing that policy.
2023 will bring a wide range of exciting and important new initiatives supporting further growth and development in the important sector of tourism. Dublin is the key access point for the island of Ireland and is often the first and/or last experience visitors have of the country. Nationally, Dublin accounts for over two thirds of all overseas tourists to Ireland. The Dublin Regional Tourism Development Strategy 2023-27, which will be launched shortly, is a roadmap for the tourism industry and all stakeholders involved in tourism in the region to navigate the current challenges and steer a course towards a sustainable recovery and continued success. Over the course of this strategy, in addition to activation of the Dublin Coastal Trail and the ongoing implementation of the Docklands Destination and Experience Development Plan (DEDP), Fáilte Ireland will develop two new DEDPs, namely:
- Dublin City DEDP : Commenced in 2022
- Mountains DEDP: Commencing 2023
I understand there are currently no Fáilte Ireland funding schemes that the Dublin Fruit Market would be eligible to apply for but that Fáilte Ireland is available to engage with Dublin City Council in any review by the Council of the tourism potential of the market.
