Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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584. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the strategy his Department and / or Fáilte Ireland have in place to promote Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10216/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that daa has statutory responsibility to operate, manage and develop both Dublin and Cork Airports and any strategy to promote Cork Airport is a matter for daa and Cork Airport management. 

However, I am of course aware and concerned at the continuing decline in passenger numbers at Cork. I understand that daa and Cork Airport management are working hard to stabilise numbers and return Cork Airport to growth.  daa is actively engaged with existing airline customers and potential new entrants to help expand traffic at the airport and to generate new services. 

Specifically in relation to tourism, Tourism Ireland is the north/south body with responsibility for the overseas promotion of Ireland as a tourism destination, while Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, has responsibility for encouraging, promoting and supporting tourism as a leading indigenous component of the Irish economy – including through domestic tourism marketing.  Accordingly, I have referred this question to the two tourism agencies for direct reply on any specific marketing strategies involving Cork Airport.

Ultimately, creating new services and growing inbound tourism depends not just on the availability of competitive access but also on ensuring that potential visitors have a reason to visit.  I would urge all the stakeholders to work together to develop the various tourism products in the region.  The stakeholders, along with the Airport and the tourism agencies will then be better able to pursue every opportunity to develop and highlight those products. It is only in working together that the objective of ensuring a sustainable airport able to grow in the future can be achieved for the benefit of the region.