Local councillor claims UK Government plans on immigration control threatens tourism in north Louth

Sinn Féin Councillor Antóin Watters has described Britain’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) as an attack on tourism in the north of Ireland and in North Louth.

Cllr Watters warned in 2022 that if this legislation went ahead it would be to the detriment of the tourism industry in North Louth/South Down and unfortunately, it has come to pass.

Cllr Watters said:  “From January 9th non-EU visitors to the North of Ireland need an additional travel document called an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) at a cost of £10 and can be applied for on-line and will take three days.

“We are in the process of building the Narrow Water Bridge and extending the greenway and cycle paths to connect North Louth and South Down and enhance tourism in the area by selling Carlingford and the Mournes as a single tourist area.

"Connectivity is central to the whole premise and one of the core selling points of the narrow water Bridge Project.

“The Joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Louth County Council and the Newry, Mourne and Down District Councils is all about promoting the economic development of the whole region.

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"This added bureaucracy is going to damage that tourism.”

Cllr Watters gave the example of a coach load of 50 international tourists arriving in Dublin.

“Will the travel company add an extra £500 onto the cost of their trip to go visit the Mournes or indeed anywhere in the North?", Cllr Watters said.

"Will they bother with the added bureaucracy? Or will they just head West? We are depending on tourists visiting the North via North Louth and the Narrow water Bridge.

"The British Government have just damaged and negatively impacted our tourist industry in North Louth.”

The final phase of this legislation will be completed by April 2025.

Cllr Watters said he welcomes a suggestion by Conor Murphy MLA, Minister for the Economy that because the island of Ireland is marketed as a single destination, that a seven day exemption for international visitors be granted if they are not following onto Britain.

“This would allow visitors to come to north Louth and into South Down, have their holiday and return home. The seven day period would cover most international visitors to the North.”

An angry Cllr Watters said: “If Minister Murphy’s suggestion is not accepted then when the area is being sold to international travellers do we tell them, well you can only go so far and visit half of the area unless you have extra authorisation to travel at an additional cost?

"The whole border is a farce and the ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude of the British government is tiresome and damaging to this area.

“We cannot allow tourism in this part of the country to suffer anymore because of the border and the consequences of having a government in Britain that has a complete lack of understanding of and an even worse attitude towards the Irish people.”