Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

207. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the travel advice for Irish citizens wishing to travel to Kenya around the time of the planned elections there on 26 October 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41282/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department of Foreign Affairs provides travel advice for around 200 countries on its website at www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice and also through our free-to-download SmartPhone App TravelWise and via our social media presence. The information provided is continuously reviewed and updated to ensure that it is as accurate and relevant as possible. The travel advice is developed based on assessments and reports from our Embassy and Consulate network, and material available from host countries and local authorities and agencies. My Department also liaises with other countries including EU Member States and other relevant third country sources, with the objective of ensuring that Irish citizens are able to make informed decisions regarding their travel plans. In relation to Kenya, our travel advice is under continuous review. It currently states that “as the Presidential Election of August 8th was nullified by the Supreme Court of Kenya, a re-run of this election has now been scheduled to take place on October 26th. Historically elections in Kenya are associated with a build-up of tension and outbreaks of violence. Citizens are advised to exercise caution in the period before, during and after the election. Large public gatherings should be avoided.” Our travel advice for Kenya will remain under review by our Embassy in Nairobi and should the need arise for the travel advice to be changed then this will be updated on our website. Citizens considering travel to Kenya are encouraged to monitor the website, download the TravelWise App and also follow our dedicated travel advice social media account - @dfatravelwise. They can also register their details through the Citizens Registration facility on our website –www.dfa.ie.