Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the short stay visa waiver programme. I welcome the significant growth in the number of trips to Ireland from countries covered by the short stay visa waiver programme, which was launched on 1 July two years ago. Provisional figures indicate that the number of visits in 2012 by persons from the 17 countries covered by the programme was 38% higher than in 2010. I remind Members that the programme allows visitors in possession of a UK visa to travel on to Ireland without the need to apply for a separate visa. I welcome the decision of the Government in March last year to extend the programme until the end of October 2016. This initiative has a positive impact on the Irish economy and augurs well for tourism and jobs in this industry for many years to come. I note also that the Minister is looking to expand this programme to cover additional countries. This initiative is a wonderful success and I look forward to its continued success for many years to come, with many more visitors coming to our island.