Don’t want to win a Darwin Award while supporting the Boys in Green at Euro 2016? The government’s got you covered.
With just under two months to go until Euro 2016, Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has released a series of painfully obvious guidelines for fans travelling to France to ensure that they don’t wind up arrested, hurt or even worse… achieve social media obscurity (see tip 7)
The Department’s tips are:
1. Check your passport now and make sure that it is valid for duration of your intended travel. Make a copy of it and email it to yourself and a family member at home, in case it gets lost or stolen and you need replacement travel documents.
2. Bring your European Health Insurance Card with you.
3. Plan your itinerary and accommodation well in advance.
4. Get travel insurance.
5. Register with the Department of Foreign Affairs so you can be reached in an emergency.
6. Familiarise yourself with local laws and customs – then obey them.
7. Call, text or post on social media to let family and friends know you’re safe.
8. Steer clear of trouble, drink responsibly and behave respectfully when engaging with local authorities, including local law enforcement agencies.
9. For an emergency in France dial 112. For consular assistance from the Irish Embassy in Paris, a dedicated phone line will go live on 10th June: +33 1441 767 80. You can also send an email query through the Embassy’s website.
11. Which is not really a tip: Come on you boys in green.
