In a statement to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport Paul Kelly said, among other things, in regard to Irish tourism and Brexit:

• "Irish Tourism has already begun to feel the impact of Brexit with the devaluation of sterling being a significant factor in a reduction of visitors of 5% from Great Britain and 3% Northern Ireland in 2017."
• "The UK is our biggest volume market it is also our largest and closest competitor. Northern Ireland is both a competitor for domestic tourism but an important part of our overall tourism offering for overseas holidaymakers."
• "[I]t is important for all stakeholders to be aware that a “No Deal Brexit” scenario is very likely to have significant negative impacts for Irish Tourism in terms of significant loses in economic revenue, employment and exchequer revenue".
• "Fáilte Ireland has submitted to government a response proposal to a ‘No Deal’ Brexit, which would require a significant increase in both current and capital investment to protect the employment in, and economic contribution from, the sector in the event of a No Deal Brexit."

Brexit - particularly a "no-deal" Brexit, and most especially should any kind of closed border be put into place - is a most serious threat to tourism in both Ireland and NI, and to the peace process as well.

The fact that Theresa May's UK government needs the support of the DUP to remain in power plays a key part in the border issue. In recent interviews, DUP chief Arlene Foster has said that her party would not support any Brexit deal which would separate Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK and create a border in the Irish Sea.

EU negotiators say they're still hopeful of reaching a Brexit resolution at a summit meeting in November, but UK PM May is giving indications that she finds a December date to be more realistic.

Stay tuned.