THE EU has approved funding of over £3 million for nine tourism projects in the Republic. The projects include the establishment of a fleet of six purpose built sight seeing trolley bustrams in Dublin and the refurbishment of hotel and leisure facilities in the south west.

Other projects include the upgrading of visitor facilities at the Cobh visitor centre in Cork and the development of an integrated visitor centre, including an interpretative centre, in Waterford.

The Minister for Tourism and Trade, Mr Kenny, said yesterday that Ireland's tourism potential was far in excess of past performance.

However, he stressed that it was clear, if supply was to cater for potential demand, much was needed to be put in place at an infrastructural level. EU funds allowed the industry to tackle the increasingly competitive marketplace.