Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 September 2025
217. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if the development of cruise tourism in Dublin will form part of the forthcoming Marine Tourism Strategy; and if opportunities will be provided for interested parties to make submissions to this process. [49490/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra218. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the specific plans being considered by his Department to support the development of cruise tourism in Dublin; and whether consultation with port authorities, local businesses and tourism stakeholders is being or will be facilitated. [49491/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra219. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment the way in which cruise tourism potential in Dublin will be evaluated within the new Tourism Policy Statement and associated Marine Tourism Strategy. [49492/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra220. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment when the Marine Tourism Strategy, as committed to in the Programme for Government, will be published; and if he will commit to publishing same before the 2026 summer season to allow the sector to plan accordingly. [49493/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 217, 218, 219 and 220 together.
Earlier this year I met with cruise tourism stakeholders to discuss how the marine sector could be considered in the context of our overall tourism policy objectives.
In this regard, a Tourism Policy Framework for the period to 2030 was approved by the last Government in November 2024. I’ve asked officials to consider how commitments in the new Programme for Government (PFG), including the development of a Marine Tourism Strategy, align with the Policy Framework and to prioritise the finalisation of a new Tourism Policy Statement which reflects the PFG and other Government priorities. It will also reflect tourism’s new positioning in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
In relation to the tourism agencies, both Fáilte Ireland (the National Tourism Development Authority) and Tourism Ireland (responsible for the overseas promotion of the Island of Ireland as a tourist destination) must be fully cognisant of the policy objectives in the Statement when preparing their own Business Plans. The new Policy Statement will also detail oversight arrangements to ensure delivery of the policy objectives and how implementation will be monitored. Drafting of the new Policy Statement is at an advanced stage and I expect it to be finalised shortly. It will ensure a strong, resilient tourism sector which benefits every area of Ireland including all coastal communities.
