Ireland's first ever short-stay Visa Waiver Programme - part of the government's efforts to increase inbound tourism - has been launched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

An integral part of the Irish government's Jobs Initiative, the scheme has taken effect as of 1 July and will run until the end of October 2012 in a pilot capacity. The programme will enable tourists or business people with a UK entry visa to visit Ireland for up to three months (or until the UK visa expires) with no need to obtain an Irish visa.

Residents from 16 countries will be included in the programme: India; Kazakhstan; China; Uzbekistan; Bahrain; Kuwait; Oman; Qatar; Saudi Arabia; and the United Arab Emirates. Belarus; Montenegro; Russia; Serbia; Turkey; and Ukraine are the other countries to participate in the Visa Waiver Programme.

Kenny said the scheme would provide an "innovative package which is clearly focussed on encouraging more tourists from new and untraditional markets to visit Ireland." Image: Tourism Ireland/Nutan