Debate contribution: All-Ireland Tourism
Debate contribution by Mr Philip McGuigan on .
- MLA
- Mr Philip McGuigan
- Party at the time
- Sinn Féin
- Date
- 18 June 2024
- Type
- Debate contribution
- Business
- Opposition Business
- Heading
- All-Ireland Tourism
- Assembly identifier
- Official Report component 4497364
Read the official Assembly record
Text
Go raibh maith agat, a Phríomh-Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
The first thing to say from a Sinn Féin MLA's point of view is that there is a rational, common-sense argument that policy integration across all areas of government on this island will improve outcomes for the citizens of Ireland whom we are elected to represent. Now that I know that I have only three minutes to speak on the motion, to recap what everybody said, there is, by and large, broad support for the motion. Different people have different emphases. There is agreement on support for our tourism sector and on the need to work together on the island to do that. There is certainly agreement among all Members who spoke that we need to work to remove any barriers that would hinder that, the ETA being a clear example. As the Minister and others have said, there is, perhaps, a difference in emphasis, but I accept what the Minister said about amendment No 1 and finding a working way forward whereby he hopes to get the Executive to reach an agreed position. As I said, there is broad agreement among all the parties, with slightly different emphasis on some of this stuff, such as how closely we should work together. Everybody who spoke clearly identified and pointed out the many places, attractions and offerings that we have in the North that bring tourists here. Members pointed out some other complexities that we need to work on. Sinn Féin wants to build a more inclusive and sustainable economy for all. We want to work with others to make that happen. Tourism, despite its challenges, is bouncing back after the pandemic, and we need to build on that. The Minister mentioned the fact that 70% of jobs in the tourism and hospitality sector are outside Belfast. It is a sector that brings regional balance, and we need to ensure that that is built on by maximising our tourism potential, thereby benefiting the many tourism and hospitality businesses, those who are employed in the sector and the communities that tourists visit. Full potential will be reached only by working on an all-island basis. As Sinn Féin's tourism spokesperson, I, like others, have raised the compelling case for expanding into the North Fáilte Ireland's successful tourism and marketing strategies, such as the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland's Ancient East and, as called for by our amendment, the Hidden Heartlands. Tourist experiences and how they are marketed are fundamental to the attractiveness of any destination. As others have said, we can do two things at once: the Causeway coastal route where I live can benefit while maintaining its unique identity from being on the Wild Atlantic Way. I had a lot more to say, but my time is up —
— so I am happy to support this.
471 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Assessment
Jev’s structured answers met the documented threshold for “not flagged”.
- Overall probability that the activity is being used to promote, exploit or escalate an identity-based controversy: 0.04 (flagging needs at least 0.70; at or below 0.30 is not flagged).
- None of the five culture-war criteria was met (each was below 0.60).
- Assessed as legitimate policy scrutiny (0.79).
- No identity-based framing was identified (1.00).
- Subject area: Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy.
- The overall probability was at or below the not-flagging threshold.
This is an AI-generated assessment of the text, made against published criteria. It is not a finding of fact about the MLA or their intentions. The Assembly record itself is the fact.
Jev’s structured answers
| Question | Probability | Met? |
|---|---|---|
| Identity framing | 0.06 | No |
| Sectarian or communal antagonism | 0.01 | No |
| Cultural grievance politics | 0.02 | No |
| Dog-whistle messaging | 0.02 | No |
| Controversy escalation | 0.03 | No |
| Legitimate policy scrutiny | 0.79 | Yes |
| Overall judgement | 0.04 | At or below not-flagging threshold |
| Option | Probability |
|---|---|
| No identity-based framing (chosen) | 1.00 |
| Reports or questions it | 0.00 |
| Criticises or condemns it | 0.00 |
| Adopts it | 0.00 |
| Subject | Probability |
|---|---|
| Irish language, Ulster-Scots and language policy | 0.37 |
| No identity-related subject | 0.32 |
| Constitutional question, Brexit, the Windsor Framework and sovereignty | 0.27 |
| Another identity-related subject | 0.03 |
| Sectarianism, hate crime and community relations | 0.01 |
Assessed 21 October 2026 at 10:38 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.
Disagree with this assessment?
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