Irish tourism minister Leo Varadkar has called for the provision of a single tourist visa for people travelling to both the UK and Ireland in an extension of the Common Travel Area.

Varadkar urged the introduction of the measure while addressing the 44th plenary of the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly in the Seanad chamber at Leinster House, Dublin.

"It is my view that just as we have a Common Travel Area for our citizens, we need to have a Common Travel Area for tourists," said Varadkar.

"Our Schengen area counterparts have a huge competitive advantage over us. A tourist from China, for example, can get a visa which takes in the entire Schengen area."

Assembly co-chair Joe McHugh backed the call. He said: "The governments should also look at ways to make it easier for visitors to access and travel between Britain and Ireland."

Details: www.transport.ie