Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Apr 1999

Vol. 503 No. 6

Written Answers. - Foreign Travel.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

101 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether holidaymakers due to travel to Turkey in summer 1999 should proceed with their plans in view of the dangerous situation which exists in Kosovo. [10999/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

The Department of Foreign Affairs is currently reminding Irish citizens intending to travel to Turkey of increased tensions there following the arrest of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. The Turkish authorities give a high priority to protecting visitors. However, visitors should take sensible precautions such as avoiding public gatherings or protests, follow the advice of their tour operators or travel agents and stay only at hotels or guest houses approved by the Turkish ministry of tourism.

The conflict in the Balkans is not affecting travel between Ireland and Turkey.

I do not know what the position will be by the summer. Persons planning to travel to Turkey then should themselves monitor developments and assess them. The Department of Foreign Affairs constantly does so and, should a risk to travellers to Turkey or any country other than those already affected by the conflict become manifest, it will advise intending travellers accordingly.