Minister Dermot Ahern issues travel advice for the Rugby World Cup in France and Ireland’ s Euro 2008 Qualifying games in Bratislava and Prague

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, T.D., announced today that a temporary Irish consulate would operate in Bordeaux.  The consulate is one element in the comprehensive plan to provide consular assistance for the thousands of Irish citizens travelling to France for the Rugby World Cup in September, as well as those travelling to Slovakia and to the Czech Republic for the Euro 2008 qualifiers on 8 and 12 September. Minister Ahern said,

“As part of my commitment to providing a first class consular service to Irish fans attending major sporting events abroad, I am pleased to announce the opening of a temporary consulate in Bordeaux from 7-17 September.  This will ensure that fans attending Ireland's World Cup matches in that city against Namibia and Georgia on 9 and 15 September will have access to a wide range of consular services.  Our Embassy in Paris will also be available on a 24-hour basis to assist Irish fans attending the matches against France and Argentina on 21 and 30 September as well as any additional matches involving Ireland”.

The Minister continued,

“In addition to this consular response, the Embassy in Paris is organising a number of public events to celebrate Ireland's participation in the World Cup.  These include: a concert in the Rugby Village in Bordeaux on 15 September, a visit by the Irish naval vessel L.E. Eithne to Bordeaux on 15 and 16 September; and an open day at the recently restored Embassy of Ireland in Paris on 22 September”.

The Minister also said that he would send extra consular and passport staff to Bratislava and Prague for Ireland's soccer matches against Slovakia and the Czech Republic on 8 and 12 September. Ireland’s Embassies in both cities will be providing 24 hour coverage to cater for any consular difficulties which may arise.

Wishing Ireland’s rugby and soccer teams every success, Minister Ahern said,

 “I am confident that the coming weeks will be hugely enjoyable and successful for players and fans alike”. 

The Minister urged Irish fans to read and take with them the detailed practical advice  for the World Cup and Euro 2008 qualifiers now available on the Department of Foreign Affairs website: www.dfa.ie. The advice also includes details of Embassy/Consulate opening hours and contact numbers.