Matt Carthy MEP with fellow Sinn Fein representatives and Joan Crawford from Failte Ireland.
Failte Ireland has confirmed it plans an overhaul including new toilet facilities at Malin Head.
The plans were revealed at a meeting with Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy.
MEP Carthy traveled to Donegal to hold what he described as a “constructive and positive meeting” with Fáilte Ireland.
The meeting included discussions about the overall strategic plan for developing tourism across the region with particular emphasis on the ongoing success of the Wild Atlantic Way.
There was a specific conversation on the need to develop the tourist potential of Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point.
Carthy, who previously visited Malin Head and met with local community representatives in the area, has confirmed that he is seeking national and European support for the development of services and facilities in the Donegal beauty spot.
The MEP was accompanied at the Letterkenny meeting with Fáilte Ireland’s Joan Crawford by Senator Pádraig MacLochlainn and Cllr Albert Doherty.
Afterwards Carthy said “I want to thank Joan Crawford and Failte Ireland for meeting with our Sinn Féin delegation and updating us on their overall strategy for developing tourism across the region.
“Our conversation regarding the tourist potential of Malin Head was a constructive and positive engagement.
“Malin Head Community Development Association is doing great work in seeking to promote the area, to develop tourism and to increase local employment opportunities.
“But the area, which has suffered from high unemployment and emigration, needs increased infrastructure and accessibility to exploit its obvious tourist potential as Ireland’s most northern point.
“I have confirmed that I will work at a European level to support local efforts to develop this area sensitively and for the benefit of the community and the local environment.
“Fáilte Ireland today confirmed that the next phase of development, which involves the installation of public toilet facilities will commence in the autumn.
“There will then follow a comprehensive technical phase which will, hopefully, lead to the planning, designing and development of tourist amenity which will make Malin Head as attractive as possible for visitors and residents alike.
“Everyone appears to be in agreement that the most important element of this is to ensure maximum local input and consultation. Any development must compliment rather than impinge on the outstanding natural beauty of the area.
“I will continue to support each phase of development at Malin Head in whatever way I can and I will continue to liaise with my Donegal Sinn Féin colleagues and the local community in this regard”.
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