Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
209. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the current status of a project (details supplied); when this project will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73207/25]
View answerFáilte Ireland remains committed to the successful delivery of the Beara Breifne Way and its potential as a world-class walking trail.
In 2024, Fáilte Ireland worked closely with a diverse group of stakeholders across the 12 trails to explore the best possible governance model for the Beara Breifne Way. While these discussions were rich and insightful, they revealed the diversity and complexity of the trail network, highlighting the need for a more locally grounded approach moving forward.
Despite extensive consultation and collaboration with a diverse group of over 40 stakeholders, a consensus could not be reached among stakeholders on the proposed governance model. In the absence of agreement, Fáilte Ireland has stated they cannot impose a structure and has chosen to pause the implementation in the spirit of partnership.
While the governance model is temporarily paused, Fáilte Ireland will be delivering a localised, supportive approach that works directly with individual trail sections. As each trail grows stronger independently, it will lay the groundwork for a more effective and cohesive long-distance trail network in the future—one that is both locally grounded and regionally connected.
The following steps are being taken to continue to deliver continued sustainable development of the Beara Breifne Way by Fáilte Ireland:
• A new targeted development and supports programme for trails on the Beara Breifne Way and,
• Supports for individual trails through Destination Experience Development Plans, by Fáilte Ireland’s Regional Experience Brands.
Fáilte Ireland is currently working on the development of the programme and are on track to launch in Q1 2026. The plan is to work with three to four trail sections at a time and to run the programme over a two to three year period. In parallel, other elements of trail development will continue including an update of both the trail audit and the visitor services audit for the full trail in 2026, in line with the Beara Breifne Way tourism masterplan.
This new approach ensures multiple elements of trail delivery can happen concurrently. The ambition is to work towards majority completion of the trail by 2030, as outlined in the Beara Breifne Way tourism masterplan. Fáilte Ireland plans to revisit the implementation of a management structure at such time that all stakeholders collectively seek to revisit it.
