The Department of Foreign Affairs has decided not to alter its travel advice to Irish holiday-makers in relation to Turkey, following assurances from the Turkish government of increased security measures in tourist destinations in the wake of last Saturday's fatal bomb attack.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern met his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, in Ankara yesterday, during which they discussed security issues. Mr Gul briefed him on additional security measures, including the cancellation of police leave in the resorts, increased patrols and security checks in airports.
There has also been co-ordinated action against criminal groups and increased emergency planning in the wake of last Saturday's bomb on a bus in Kusadasi, which killed teenager Tara Whelan from Co Waterford and four other people.
Mr Ahern was also informed that there had been a number of terrorist-related incidents in the last year in the tourist region of the country.
Following the meeting, the Minister said he was satisfied and encouraged by the new measures, and would not be warning people against travel to the country.
"Our advice to people, whether it's travelling to Turkey, London, or anywhere for that matter, is to be vigilant, and to be especially vigilant in crowded or public places," he said. "Today nowhere can be described as absolutely safe."
Mr Ahern said the travel advice regarding Turkey would be kept under review and if there was any change in the security situation there, the advice would be changed.
Officials from the Irish Embassy in Turkey have been monitoring the situation in Kusadasi and other regions popular with Irish tourists, and have confirmed the increased police and security presence. Up to 4,000 Irish tourists are believed to be in the Kusadasi region at any one time during the summer season.
The current advice notes that the threat from terrorism in Turkey "remains high".
"Such attacks are . . . random and indiscriminate and cannot be predicted in advance. The department advises Irish citizens to take this into account in considering travel to Turkey."