Finian McGrath
Ceist:444 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a person (details supplied) in County Galway will be given the maximum sup port, advice and assistance in order to visit Colombia. [20506/03]
Written Answers. - Foreign Visas.
Irish citizens require a visa to enter Colombia. Decisions on the issue of visas are a matter for the Colombian authorities. Before travelling to Colombia, the person to whom the Deputy refers should note that my Department, in line with our EU partners, strongly advises against travel to Colombia unless absolutely necessary. It is not possible to guarantee the safety of any individual in Colombia and some areas are very dangerous.
Ireland does not have a resident embassy in Colombia. Irish citizens there who require consular assistance may contact the Irish embassy in Mexico, which is accredited to Colombia, or the Irish honorary consul in Bogota. Contact details for their offices are available from the consular section of my Department or from the Department's website – www.iveagh.irlgov.ie