Statement on Zimbabwe

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Brian Cowen T.D., has today expressed his serious concern about the current situation Zimbabwe.

Ireland's Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Hugh Swift, has been in constant contact with members of the Irish community there and is currently in the capital, Harare, for consultations with his EU counterparts on the developing situation. Although Ireland does not have a resident mission in Zimbabwe, the Minister has instructed that an officer of the Irish Embassy in South Africa (which is accredited to Zimbabwe) remain in Harare for the present to provide the necessary consular protection for the Irish community there. The Minister said that all possible steps will be taken to ensure the safety of our citizens in Zimbabwe.

Note for Editors

According to records in the Irish Embassy in South Africa, there are an estimated 2,000 Irish passport holders resident in Zimbabwe.Top