The organisers of the Special Olympics have welcomed the Taoiseach's call for "a sense of perspective" on the nature of the health threat posed by contestants in next month's games who come from SARS-affected areas.
In a reference to this week's decision by Clonmel Borough Council to recommend that the Hong Kong team do not travel to the town, Mr Ahern said he understood there was "serious concern" in towns that were hosting athletes from SARS-infected areas about the potential threat.
However, he said, "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."
His comments follow the labelling of Clonmel's decision as "premature" by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, and the Tánaiste, Ms Harney. Despite such criticism, the mayor of Clonmel, Fianna Fáil councillor Mr Niall Dennehy, was unrepentant about the council's unanimous decision. "With respect to the high office that he [Mr Ahern] holds, I am holder of an office here with responsibility to represent the people of this town, and to take my instructions from them.
"I believe we acted responsibly, and I am satisfied support for our recommendation is absolute in this town," he said.
In a statement following a meeting with the games' organisers, the Taoiseach said there had been "a very high level of public speculation about SARS", focusing in particular on the Special Olympics and the fact that teams from infected countries were staying in host towns like Bray, Arklow, Clonmel and Enniscorthy.
He said there was "an understandable demand for reassurance that, if the teams travel, there will be systems in place that will guarantee the health and safety of the host towns", volunteers and participants in the games. However, the situation in relation to SARS was evolving and because of this "the full details of the arrangements that will ultimately apply are not yet finalised".
Welcoming the comments, a spokesman for the Special Olympics said: "The whole responsibility for SARS does not rest with us. All we can do is look after our own event."
A specialist from the World Health Organisation, Dr Richard Pebody, arrived in Dublin yesterday to hold separate meetings with the Minister for Heath, Mr Martin, his expert group on SARS, and the organising committee of the Special Olympics.
According to the Department, Dr Pebody gave "technical advice" about the Special Olympics and risks associated with it. The Department added it would be up to it and not the WHO to decide whether athletes from SARS-affected areas would be allowed to travel. A final decision is due within a fortnight.
Special holiday cover agreed for striking doctors; Clonmel decision disappoints Hong Kong team director: page 6