Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2016
138. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the additional personnel and resources he will deploy to the Irish Embassy and Consulate General office in Brazil during the Olympic and Paralympics Games; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16131/16]
View answerThe Olympic and Paralympic Summer Games will take place in Rio de Janeiro between 5 August, and 18 September 2016.
Based on estimates from the Olympic Council of Ireland and elsewhere, we expect relatively modest numbers of Irish citizens to travel to Brazil for the Games – perhaps a few hundred in total. My Department’s current travel advice for Brazil advises Irish citizens to exercise normal precautions. Particular risks highlighted include high crime levels, road safety issues and mosquito-borne diseases.
The Embassy of Ireland in Brasilia and Consulate General in São Paulo have been actively engaging with the Brazilian authorities in relation to all aspects of planning for the tournament, including ensuring that visiting Irish citizens attending Rio 2016 stay safe. A full operational plan will be disclosed in due course, when all logistical issues have been taken into consideration, and a more accurate estimate of the numbers of Irish citizens travelling is available.
