Tourism Ireland, the new all-Ireland tourism body which is responsible for Ireland's tourism marketing programme overseas from 2002 onwards, is continuing to carry out a detailed assessment on overseas market potential in the aftermath of the US terrorist attacks.

"Getting our marketing policy right is vital," said chief executive Mr Paul O'Toole. "We need to quickly study and understand all of the implications and respond to ensure that the Irish tourism industry comes through this unstable and difficult environment with the minimum of damage."

The organisation is studying the position of air and sea access to Ireland next year, the economic conditions likely to prevail and expected changes in consumers' travel behaviour.