The Minister for Tourism has been criticised for his decision to replace the logo for Bord Failte and the Northern Ireland Tourist Board's joint marketing campaign. Belfast's Irish News yesterday said Dr McDaid's decision "undermined the Republic's commitment to partnership".
The editorial continued saying that everyone acknowledged the investment the nationalist community had made in its relationship with the Republic. "What is not so apparent is the commitment of others to that relationship.
"The deep upset the Minister's decision has caused in the business community, particularly those working in tourism, is an indication of the high priority Northern Ireland puts on cross-Border ties.
"In the North there is a clear recognition that, in the global marketplace, the two parts of Ireland must pull together.
"Dr McDaid's decision has not been properly thought through. Its ramifications are enormous. At a sweep, he has destroyed a small but potent symbol of a new Ireland built on partnership.
"It is not too late for the decision to be reversed. We hope that Dr McDaid will be prepared to brave the embarrassment and to think again. If he is unwilling to do so, the Government must make the decision for him."
The decision to get rid of the new logo was also criticised by the UK Minister of State at the Northern Ireland Office, Mr Adam Ingram, who called it a "unilateral action".
In a statement last week he said he had written to Dr McDaid saying any changes should be based on market research and business considerations rather than political ones.
Meanwhile, tourism interests in Northern Ireland have also voiced their concerns. Dr Billy Hastings, the largest hotelier in Northern Ireland, who is also a partner in the new Merrion Hotel opposite Government Buildings in Dublin, was reported as saying that Dr McDaid has not only "jeopardised a brilliant project, but also future schemes".
Dr McDaid said he was surprised and disappointed at the editorial. As the Irish News editor was well aware tourism was an area of very effective cross-Border joint activity since the late 1980s. The Minister has made clear his ongoing commitment to the maintenance of that co-operation.
Dr McDaid referred to a report in The Irish Times on August 14th which reported a spokeswoman for the Northern Irish Tourist Board saying the board had no difficulty with Dr McDaid's intervention.