Charles Flanagan, TD, & Paschal Donohoe T.D.
Efforts to attract Australian tourists for the year ahead here to Co. Tipperary, would appear bleak, following a serious unwarranted travel warning currently being issued to Australian tourists, who maybe planning to visit Ireland this Summer
A website claiming to represent the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade [Read by clicking here for yourselves.] has issued a warning to Australian tourists intent on visiting Ireland; stating tensions are high between Unionists and Republicans because of the Centenary Celebrations being held and relating to the 1916 Easter Rising.
The Australian website states; “Tensions between Dissident Republicans and Unionists have increased in the lead up to the centenary of the Easter Rising (24-29 April – Proclamation of Irish independence). You should avoid all protests and demonstrations, including those associated with Northern Ireland, as they may turn violent. Instances of civil disorder can rapidly escalate into violence and you should avoid them wherever possible, including through careful monitoring of the media and following the advice of local authorities”.
The website warns that; “Be aware that Ireland is not a party to the Schengen Agreement and therefore does not accept Schengen visas. Visa and other entry and exit requirements can change at short notice, you (visitors) should contact the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, or the nearest Irish Embassy or Consulate for the latest visa information and advice”.
Thankfully there is one very noticeable omission from the supplied, defamatory and libellous data however. Same is that Ireland, despite a general election having been held on February 26th to elect 157 Teachtaí Dála (TDs) across 40 constituencies to our Irish Parliament, Dáil Éireann; to date no government has been agreed, despite some €1.6 million in wages having been earned by those then deemed democratically elected.
Perhaps the current ‘Squatting’ Fine Gael government Minister’s for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Mr Paschal Donohoe T.D. and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Charles Flanagan, TD, could both come into the office some day this week to drop a note to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, pointing out the inaccuracies of the information in their supplied data.
Meanwhile; “Attention all you Australian Tourists planning a visit to Ireland”. Please come to Co. Tipperary; enjoy the undemanding wooded trails and pilgrimage walks; appreciate and soak in our sylvan beauty; rid yourself of the stresses and strains of modern life; feel free, in complete safety, to view our historical artefacts and castles and more importantly stay in our Hotel and Guest-houses, all of which cost half the price of similar accommodation to be found in our major cities.
Understand the true meaning of “Céad Míle Fáilte Romhat” [English Translation – One hundred thousand welcomes to you.] Do so with the secure feeling that you will meet the friendliest and most lovable of local people and with the knowledge that even Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II moved amongst us freely back in 2011.
George. I am speechless at this rubbish. I have just rang the Department of Foreign Affairs. They had no clue what the heck I was talking about. I asked him this question.” Have you every travelled to Ireland and surprise he said no.” So I asked them if Smarttraveller.gov.au was anything to do with them. He said not really?
George I will contact these people over the weekend. Its suppose to be a 24 hour centre. This is outrages slander against Ireland. I would be more worried about travelling to Australia. We have more protests and demonstrations and more violence here in Australia than one will ever see in Ireland. Its obvious the Department of Foreign Affairs need to learn the meaning of “One hundred thousand welcomes to you”. I will do them a favour of teaching them this wonderful saying in “Gaelic.”
George we will certainly make sure our people and any other tourists who have planned to visit Ireland especially Tipperary will not be persuaded otherwise. I will be in touch soon.