Clonmel Borough Council is tonight expected to discuss an appeal from the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, to reconsider its opposition to the Hong Kong team staying in the town during the Special Olympics.
Last month the council unanimously recommended that the team not travel to Clonmel because of the SARS scare.
Mr Cullen has written to the mayor of Clonmel, Mr Niall Dennehy, outlining steps being taken to deal with the matter, adding that "in the circumstances, I would ask you to reconsider your recommendation".
Mr Dennehy, who will not be at tonight's meeting because of a family bereavement, said yesterday that he had not yet received Mr Cullen's letter.
Tonight's meeting will be chaired by his deputy, Mr Martin O'Brien.
Ms Phil Prendergast, an independent member of the council, told The Irish Times that she saw no reason to change the council's recommendation that the team be asked not to travel.
"The developments relating to the spread of the virus justifies our recommendation.
"However, if scientific advice emerged to tell us any different, and that it would be safe for people to travel from countries infected by the virus, then we would be prepared to have a discussion on that. The recommendation is not written on stone."
In his letter, Mr Cullen says that the Government has given consideration to the issues involved, and refers to the recent statement by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern. The Taoiseach said on Friday that "it is too early for any host town to decide that adequate arrangements to provide the kind of reassurance that is required on this issue cannot be put in place".
Mr Cullen also refers to the inter-departmental planning group, led by the Department of Health and Children, which is dealing with the issue.
The group, he says, is co-ordinating the measures needed in other areas of public policy or public services to support the protection of public health, as well as providing feedback on the effectiveness of measures taken. The group, adds Mr Cullen, is considering any further measures required, and recommending measures relating to events such as the Special Olympics. He said his Department was participating in the group to liaise with all local authorities on relevant issues.
Violence in China over handling of SARS: page 10
