Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan has called on the British government to provide time-limited exemptions for tourists in relation to its Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme.

The North Antrim MLA said:

“The Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme will harm tourism in the north and damage our flourishing all-island economy.

“With non-European travellers now requiring one of these when entering the north from today, I am calling on the British government to at least provide exemptions for tourists impacted by this.

“Around 70% of tourists in the north arrive in Ireland via Dublin, and this scheme threatens over £200 million of revenue which our local economy enjoys from these visitors.

“The ETA, designed by the Tories, is hugely flawed and jeopardises years of progress our island has made through its tourism offering.

“Economy Minister Conor Murphy has also raised this issue directly with the British Home Office, imploring them to listen to the tourism industry.

“There can be no further delays, tourism and hospitality businesses need action now.”