I propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.
The Government are and have for some considerable time been very concerned about the welfare of the Irish community in Zimbabwe.
In the last two years, the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department has supported two Irish community organisations in that country, the Mashonaland Irish Association and the Bulawayo Irish Association. This funding is provided for welfare and administrative needs.
In the same period, the Irish Abroad Unit has also provided funding to Safe Home Ltd, the voluntary organisation which supports elderly Irish emigrants who wish to return to Ireland. In this regard, Safe Home has housed a number of older Irish citizens who decided to leave Zimbabwe and return to Ireland due to their dire economic circumstances.
The Embassy in Pretoria, which is accredited to Zimbabwe, stays in on-going contact with the Irish community in that country. In addition, the Ambassador and staff from the Embassy visit Zimbabwe regularly and meet with members of the Irish community, including religious and representatives of Irish NGOs working in Zimbabwe.
There are in the region of 2,000 Irish citizens still resident in Zimbabwe and our current advice, as outlined on our website, strongly recommends Irish citizens there to keep a low profile, exercise a high degree of caution, monitor local media for developments and avoid all areas where demonstrations may be held, or where there are large gatherings of people. They should not travel unnecessarily, especially at night. Where possible, they should remain in built up areas and avoid the commercial centre of Harare.
They are also advised to register their details and those of their families with the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Harare, and also with the local British Embassy, with which we have a standing arrangement to assist in the provision of emergency consular assistance to Irish citizens. They should ensure that their travel documents are up to date and readily available in case they need to leave the country at short notice.
My Department's further advises all Irish Citizens resident there to regularly monitor travel advice issued by my Department.
All Irish citizens have the right of entry into this State. There is no particular need, therefore, to have specific discussions with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform other than to keep that Department generally informed of the overall situation.
Finally, I should emphasise that the Department is advising against all travel to Zimbabwe at the present time.