John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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339. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if difficulties have arisen for Irish citizens in securing visas or travel documents from the Ethiopian authorities to enter Ethiopia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3125/22]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not been informed of Irish citizens experiencing difficulties with tourist visa applications for travel to Ethiopia, noting that operation and processing of visas for Ethiopia is of course a matter for the Ethiopian authorities.

My Department published a ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory on the Department’s website (www.dfa.ie) in respect of travel to Ethiopia on 2 November last year following the declaration of a nationwide state of emergency by the Government of Ethiopia due to an escalation in the ongoing conflict. We also advised all Irish citizens in Ethiopia to leave the country in November due to the deteriorating security situation.

More recently, my Department updated the Travel Advice for Ethiopia, recommending essential travel only to Addis Ababa but advising against travel to other parts of the country. The advice also encourages Irish citizens to ensure they have the correct visa in hand before travelling and to allow sufficient time to secure a visa online, or through the Embassy of Ethiopia in London.

Against the backdrop of the current conflict, Ireland’s Embassy in Addis Ababa maintains regular ongoing contact with Irish citizens in Ethiopia.