Gay Mitchell
Ceist:85 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself that Irish citizens travelling to Turkey can do so safely; and the advice he will offer in the current circumstances. [8885/99]
Written Answers. - Travel Advice.
John Perry
Ceist:102 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation regarding travel to Turkey as a result of the tension and unrest in the country; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many tour operators will not refund moneys paid by holidaymakers for holidays booked in this country in view of the fact officials from his Department have not specifically stated that it is not safe to travel to Turkey; if his attention has further been drawn to the points raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9190/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 102 together.
One of the services which the Department of Foreign Affairs provides is information and advice to people planning to travel to other countries about possible threats to their safety or health. The most common reasons why people are advised to take special care or not to travel to particular countries or regions are civil unrest, natural disasters and disease epidemics. The main sources of the Department's information about developments in other countries are Irish Embassies and Consulates. It is also guided by the advice EU partners, especially the UK, are giving to their nationals.
Information and advice is normally given in response to telephone inquiries to the Department's consular section but when circumstances justify it written statements are issued to the news media.
As part of the Department's response to an unusually large number of inquiries about travel to Turkey received on and after 16 March – threats against tourists having been made by the Kurdistan Workers Party on 15 March – the following statement was issued to the media on 19 March:
Irish citizens travelling to Turkey in the coming weeks should be aware that tensions have increased following the arrest of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan and the recently issued threats by the PKK against tourists visiting Turkey.
As a consequence of this, the Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to advise citizens intending to travel to Turkey that they should be aware of the increased level of risk in visiting the country. Visitors should be vigilant at all times and avoid public gatherings or protests, follow the advice of their tour operators and that of travel representatives. The Department notes that the Turkish authorities attach a high priority to ensuring the safety of visitors to Turkey.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in Ankara will continue to monitor the situation closely and advise citizens accordingly.
That is still our advice.
The circumstances in which tour operators refund moneys paid for holiday bookings that are cancelled are matters between the tour operators and their customers only. If tour operators link refunds to advice of the Department of Foreign Affairs against travelling they are entitled to do so but such decisions are theirs, not the Departments. I reject the implication that the advice we give should be determined by any consideration other than the safety of our citizens.