European soccer qualifiers to see consular offices set up
Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are to set up temporary consular offices across Europe as Ireland’s soccer team bids to qualify for Euro 2008, it emerged today.
With games against Slovakia, Czech Republic, San Marino and Cyprus, Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern said extra consular staff would be required.
Following talks with Ireland manager Steve Staunton and FAI executives, Mr Ahern agreed to beef up representation for several days around the matches with officials from nearby embassies drafted in.
“In many of the cities where these matches are taking place we would have either a small or no diplomatic representation,” the minister said.
“Following those talks we have agreed to boost our diplomatic representation in these countries in advance of the matches because of increased workload.”
Qualifying kicks off with a trip to Stuttgart on September 2 before the campaign features an historic tie against Wales in Croke Park next March.
Mr Ahern said with thousands of fans expected to travel to away fixtures across Europe temporary offices would be needed in each location with staff brought from outside.
The minister also noted the great reputation Irish fans had built up on their travels helping boost tourism to Ireland.
“It is well documented how the fans’ behaviour at Germany 1988 and Italia ’90 helped kickstart significant tourism numbers from those two countries. I have no doubt the travelling support will win over the host countries in each instance.”
