Talks planned on single Irish tourist board

THE creation of a single tourist board covering Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic looks set to be discussed in the Northern Assembly and Irish Parliament - the Oireachtas - in the next few months.

The Irish Government's department of tourism, sport and recreation says the promotion and marketing of tourism on an all-island basis is to be "reassessed" as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

"The future role of Bord Failte will obviously be influenced by developments in relation to north and south structures, future EU funding and developing partnership arrangements with the industry," said a spokesman for tourism minister Jim McDaid.

Any moves towards an all-island tourist board would require agreement by the Northern Assembly, the Oireachtas and both governments, he added.