18/05/2011 00:00:00
The European Tour Operators Association has welcomed the Irish Government’s plans to reform the visa application system for entry to Ireland.
Under the proposed reform intending visitors that have already obtained visas for the UK (which includes Northern Ireland) can visit Ireland without having to incur the trouble and expense of applying for separate visas.
The holders of such visas who want to add on a conference, meeting or incentive to a trip to Northern Ireland or indeed the Olympics in London in 2012 will not require a separate visa to come to the Republic of Ireland.
In a statement the ETOA said: “This measure enormously enhances the appeal of Ireland and so the UK as well.”
This programme which forms an integral part of the Government’s ‘Job Initiative’, is a major change in public policy in the immigration area.
Announcing the programme, Alan Shatter TD, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence said: “My message today as Minister with responsibility for Immigration is entirely consonant with that of my colleagues in the economic departments. Ireland is very much open for business; the measures I am putting in place are designed to ensure that we make it as easy as possible for the genuine tourist or short stay visitor to come here to avail of the excellent world class product we have to offer in the hospitality sector.”
Ireland’s first formal visa waiver programme applies to the nationals of 14 countries in Eastern Europe (Belarus, Montenegro, Russian Federation, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine), the Middle East (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates) and Asia (India, People’s Republic of China and Uzbekistan).