Plea for all-Ireland approach to tourism

Tourism infrastructure must be developed on an all-Ireland basis to ensure the entire country reaps the economic benefits, it was claimed today.

Pat Ramsey, the SDLP tourism spokesman, highlighted the importance of an all-Ireland approach to the industry ahead of a meeting with Minister for Tourism John O’Donoghue.

“We will be discussing a range of issues around the basic theme of the need for an all-Ireland approach to the development of tourism infrastructure, particularly but not only in the north-west,” Mr Ramsey said.

He added: “Pre-Olympics is high on the agenda because we need to ensure that our young people are not disadvantaged by lack of access to high-quality facilities.

“I will also be outlining ideas and plans for marking the centenaries of the Flight of the Earls in meaningful ways.”

An SDLP delegation, including Mr Ramsey, the party’s Irish language spokesman Dominic Bradley MLA, Enterprise spokesman Sean Farren MLA and Derry councillor Seana Hume, is due to meet with the minister at government buildings in Dublin.