A FURTHER €85 million for Fáilte Ireland to spend on upgrading tourist attractions will be provided through legislation introduced yesterday by Minister of State for Tourism Michael Ring.

The funding will enhance investment in an industry where overseas visitors spent €3.4 billion last year and domestic tourists spent €1.3 billion. “In the first six months of this year, visits from North America increased by 15 per cent and from Britain by 8 per cent compared with the first half of 2010, Mr Ring said.

Visits from European and other destinations were up 17 per cent. “In addition, people appear to be holidaying at home in greater numbers this year and I commend them on their support for the domestic tourism industry.”

The National Tourism Development Authority (Amendment) Bill increases the cap on spending for major projects to €150 million since the Fáilte Ireland authority was established in 2003. The legislation establishing it put a limit of €65 million on the amount that could be spent and by the end of 2010 just €20 million remained in the fund. The Bill provides a further €85 million, bringing the total to €150 million.

He said the aim of the investment programme “is to provide the necessary public infrastructure to help develop tourism as well as providing sustainable visitor attractions that match the expectations of the international visitor”.

Mr Ring said the Government’s support programme for tourism products includes the development of new attractions and the upgrade of existing visitor attractions. The programme also assists local authorities “to develop appropriate facilities for tourists, including walking and cycling routes, jetties and moorings,” the signposting of access routes for scenic areas and it also supports the development of outdoor and active pursuits.

Fianna Fáil tourism spokesman Timmy Dooley believed “we should be spending in the region of €1 billion a year over five years to create best-of-breed facilities and attractions in four unique districts in the country. There could be a level of competition between regions in terms of who would have the best facilities for families, watersports or outdoor pursuits such as walking or hiking. We could create some of the best facilities in Europe.”

Sinn Féin tourism spokeswoman Sandra McLellan said tourism had an important role in regional and rural development. “From the beaches in Youghal or the Ring of Kerry to Newgrange and the Donegal Gaeltacht, every corner of Ireland has a unique selling point,” she said.

“Naturally, Dublin generates the largest proportion of tourism revenue in Ireland and will most likely continue to do so. The south-west and west regions continue to perform quite well. The Shannon, the east and midlands and the northwest in particular need to be included in an inclusive strategy to maximise the potential of areas.”

United Left Alliance TD Richard Boyd Barrett expressed concern about development in Dún Laoghaire, which he said “is a port and still one of the main entry points for tourists to this country”. Since it was a “key entry point we should invest in and . . . secure jobs.”

He claimed its potential “has been grossly mismanaged during the years by government, local authorities and State agencies, in particular, the Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company, a semi-State company which comes under the aegis of the Department of Transport”.

He said the Department of the Environment also had a responsibility as “developments around the seafront . . . usually take place in close collaboration with the local authority and the department has an influence on getting this right”.