Motion

All-Ireland Tourism

Motion TitleAll-Ireland Tourism

Motion TextThat this Assembly notes the importance of tourism as a driver of an all-island economy; further notes that the biggest port of entry for Northern Ireland visitors remains Dublin Airport; expresses concern that the UK Government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme poses a fundamental risk to all-island tourism; calls on the Minister for the Economy to work with the Irish Government to link the Wild Atlantic Way with the Causeway Coastal Route, promote Derry as the destination city linking both jurisdictions and include counties Armagh and Down in Ireland’s Ancient East; and further calls on the Minister for the Economy to work with the First Minister and deputy First Minister to formulate an agreed Executive position against the UK Government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme, and to report to the Assembly on the progress of these issues no later than September 2024.

Motion CategoryPrivate Members' Motion

Motion TypeOpposition business

Date Tabled to Business Office04/06/2024

Date Selected By Committee11/06/2024

Date of Plenary Debate18/06/2024

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Tabled By

Member Name	Tabled As
Mr Matthew O'Toole	MLA - South Belfast

Bills

Outcome/Voting

The Motion, As Amended, Was Carried by Oral Vote

Amendments

Selected Amendments

Number	Tabled Date	Amendment Text
1	13/06/2024	Leave out all after ‘tourism as a driver’ and insert: ‘of the Northern Ireland economy; further notes that a significant port of entry for Northern Ireland visitors remains Dublin Airport; expresses concern that without appropriate mitigations, including an effective communications plan, the UK Government’s Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme poses a risk to in-bound tourism in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic; calls on the Minister for the Economy to work with the Irish Government to explore links between the Wild Atlantic Way with the Causeway Coastal Route, promote Londonderry and the North West as the destination linking both jurisdictions and include counties Armagh and Down in Ireland’s Ancient East, whilst continuing to value and promote Northern Ireland’s own distinctive tourism brand Embrace a Giant; and further calls on the Minister for the Economy to work with the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance to implement a limited and time-bound exemption of between five and seven days from the Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme for tourists and tour operators travelling between Irish Republic and Northern Ireland, and to report to the Assembly on the progress of these issues no later than September 2024.’
2	14/06/2024	After ‘Ireland’s Ancient East’ insert: ‘and counties Fermanagh and Tyrone in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’

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All-Ireland Tourism

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