Visa restrictions on tourists crossing the border into the UK from the Republic of Ireland are "reckless" and "potentially devastating to the tourist industry" in Derry, Sinn Fein has warned.
Northern Ireland Office (NIO) Minister Steve Baker confirmed, in Parliament earlier this week, that there will be no exemptions from electronic travel authorisation plans for tourists.
The plans had attracted criticism in Northern Ireland for placing an additional burden on tourists who might wish to travel north from the Republic of Ireland.
Read more: SDLP echo Leo Varadkar warning on cross-border tourism under ETA scheme
The scheme, similar to the visa waiver system employed in the USA and other countries, would see short-term visitors to the UK applying for 'Electronic Travel Authorisation' passes in order to cross into the UK.
But the plans have drawn criticism from figures on both sides of the Irish border, including the Irish government, amid concerns about the impact on a tourist industry reliant on restriction-free travel across the island.
On Wednesday, Minister of State for the NIO Steve Baker said all visitors "must register for an ETA and must continue to comply with the UK’s immigration requirements".
Mr Baker said, however, that an "exemption" had been created for "third-country nationals who are ordinarily resident in Ireland" but that it is "the Government's position that we should not create a loophole".
Sinn Fein group leader on Derry City and Strabane council, Christopher Jackson, criticised the policy and called for it to be scrapped.
“Sinn Féin has directly and consistently challenged the British Home Office on this legislation because it is not only offensive and reckless but potentially devastating to the tourist industry," he said.
“The North West has so much to offer in terms of tourism but any requirement for visitors to apply and pay for post-Brexit waivers will obviously cause huge damage to our potential to continue to grow this industry."
The Waterside councillor continued: “More than half a million tourists journey across the island each year, spending £250 million in the local economy.
“We cannot allow that to be jeopardised so these plans need to be scrapped.
“Tourism and hospitality groups have also been very clear in their opposition to this legislation and the British Government’s total lack of understanding about the damaging impact it will have on the island of Ireland."
Mr Jackson added: “Sinn Féin will continue to directly challenge the British Government on this absurd legislation and we also urge the Irish Government to use all the influence at its disposal to oppose it.”
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