Taoiseach to meet Special Olympics organisers over SARS
However, as inter-departmental meetings are still ongoing, discussions between Special Olympics officials and the Taoiseach will be held over until tomorrow, a senior government source said.
Yesterday health officials met with the Canadian ambassador to Ireland, Mark Moher, as pressure intensified on the Department of Health to issue guidelines on SARS to Special Olympics host towns.
The ambassador briefed Mr Martin and officials of the Department of Health and Children on the current SARS situation in Canada.
He said he was confident the Toronto authorities had the situation under control and this has been confirmed by the World Health Organisation. The Expert Group on SARS will meet again tomorrow.
Yesterday’s briefing sessions came as Tánaiste Mary Harney criticised a local council which has recommended that its town should not host delegates from Hong Kong because of fears of the spread of SARS.
Ms Harney described the decision by Clonmel Borough Council in Tipperary as premature, given that the World Health Organisation and the Department of Health here still has to issue its guidance on the matter.
Her comments came as Special Olympics bosses said they will continue to plan for the world-class event as normal, until the WHO and Department of Health decision on May 8.
“These host towns, like ourselves, are awaiting further instruction, protocol and procedures from the Department of Health. Anything that can be put in place is being put in place and we will continue to do so,” according to Special Olympics Director of Support Services and Volunteers, Peter O’Brien.
Reaction to Clonmel borough council’s decision that it does not want to host 41 athletes and their officials from Hong Kong was mixed in the town. Former Mayor Michael O’Brien disagreed with the stance.
“I think they jumped the gun on it. We should have awaited the World Health Organisation advice on this. Reaction here in the town has been very mixed, 50/50,” he said.
In Enniscorthy, Co Wexford, welcoming committee spokesperson Mary Whitford Carroll said the town will take advice from the WHO.
“We have to consider the athletes as well. To send out a message to them that they are not welcome in Ireland is sad. Our preparations are continuing, until we hear otherwise,” she said.
And in Portlaoise, Co Laois, a spokesperson for the host committee said that it is still making preparations for the 70-strong delegation from Taiwan. It too is awaiting further instruction from the Special Olympics, the Department of Health and the WHO.
In Arklow, Co Wicklow, which hosts 59 delegates from Singapore, plans and preparations continue. And Bray, Co Wicklow, host to 118 people from China, also awaits news.
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