Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI) is responsible for Team Ireland at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The OCI's medical team have taken their lead from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the zika situation. The IOC has provided the OCI with every assurance and the OCI has total confidence that the Games will be safe for all athletes.

The OCI is following the recommendations of the IOC, as well as the recommendations of the Rio 2016 organisers, the World Health Organisation and national health authorities, to ensure that Team Ireland's athletes are kept fully updated with the latest and best advice and that they are equipped to take all necessary precautions.

The OCI is working diligently to ensure the welfare of Team Ireland's athletes at Rio 2016. The OCI will continue to ensure that all Team Ireland members are fully updated in advance of, and during, the Rio Olympics.

In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which is responsible for issuing travel advice, is continuing to work in co-ordination with the OCI in the lead up to the Rio Games.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued advice on the zika virus for those travelling to the Rio Olympics and a dedicated Rio 2016 microsite has been published on the Department's website.

I understand that an increased consular response will be in place during the Games and that a temporary Consulate is being set up in Rio de Janeiro to provide emergency consular assistance to Irish citizens.

Furthermore, the Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, met with the Deputy Chief Medical Officer in recent weeks to discuss the matter.