Burke eager to boost Westmeath tourism numbers

Increasing the number of tourists visiting Westmeath and neighbouring counties is one of Minister Peter Burke’s key local objectives following his reappointment to cabinet.

As was widely predicted, the Mullingar native retained his ministerial portfolio in the newly reconfigured Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, when Fine Gael leader Simon Harris announced his cabinet appointments last Thursday after proceedings were delayed by 24 hours following the dispute between the government and the opposition over the speaking rights of the Regional Technical Group.

Minister Burke’s department has been reconfigured since the end of the last government and tourism is now under its umbrella, while trade has moved to the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, Minister Burke says it is a “huge honour” to be reappointed. One of the first things he wants to do, he says, is look at ways to increase the number of tourists coming to the midlands.

The current tourism strategies for the region and not succeeding as they should, he believes.

“I’m very happy to be back in enterprise. That really speaks to my skillset, having worked for more than a decade in the private sector as a chartered accountant.

“I’m excited to see the tourism brief come in, which is a significant portfolio on its own.

“One thing I am keen on is trying to deliver for the midlands as well. We saw the success of the Wild Atlantic Way and it’s very clear to me that other strategies are not delivering for this area.

“We will try to do a lot of work in this area. As the Lake County, we have so much going for us. It is a diamond that just needs to be polished. It really needs marketing and a proper strategy.”

When it comes to realising the tourism potential of the midlands, Minister Burke says he is “open to new ideas”.

“When we have this opportunity of having this cabinet ministry in the midlands it is important that people who have good ideas on how we can progress the midlands as a really competitive destination [come forward]. My door is always open to them.

“We have to look at what are strategies in terms of tourism for the midlands and why are they not delivering as we would have hoped. We need to have a real hard assessment of that.

“Right through the midlands there is exceptional value. We can be competitive on price and we have a different experience.”

Minister Burke has long championed the cause of Ireland’s SME sector through a range of supports in the last administration and it’s something he wants to continue in the new government.

“SMEs are so important. Two thirds of all the employment in our country is generated in SMEs and small family businesses. They drive so much of the economic activity through our community.”

Trump administration

Although trade is now under the remit of Tánaiste Simon Harris and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Minister Burke was keen to point out that the Department of Enterprise will still play a key role on the international front, including trying to maintain positive relations with the Trump administration.

“Obviously, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland will be staying under my remit and we are taking on Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland and we also have the LEOs (Local Enterprise Offices).

“The department will still be responsible for trade promotion. Part of trade policy will be moving to the Department of Foreign Affairs, but the Department of Enterprise will still have a lead role because all of the know-how and skills are based here.

“We will be working closely with the Tánaiste, particularly when it comes to the US relationship. That key access is going to be so important for Ireland into the future. It’s important that we invest in that narrative.”

Following comments made by President Trump and some of his administration about US trade relations with Ireland and wider EU, Minister Burke says “we have to respond to that uncertainty”.

“First we have to make the Trump administration aware that we, as a country, are the seventh largest investor in the US. We employ 120,000 people across their country. It important that in a two-way relationship when you look at trade in terms of goods and services, there’s €100 billion of a trade surplus in the favour of the US. It’s important that we point that out.”