Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Will the Leader of the House request the Minister for Foreign Affairs to come to the House to discuss the situation in which 20 Irish soccer fans found themselves in Russia at a recent international match? They were attacked by a mob of over 100 local people in Moscow. When they turned to the Moscow police, they did nothing for them and looked for money. These fans were in fear of their lives. We should ask the Minister to clarify what precautions the Department of Foreign Affairs took to ensure the safety of Irish fans travelling to this particular match. What steps does he plan to take for subsequent matches and will he speak to the Russian embassy about the issue? Eight of the 20 fans came from my constituency. They were genuinely terrified and feared they would not get home alive.