Advice issued to Euro 2012 fans

Advice for Irish people travelling to the Euro 2012 soccer championships in June has been published by drinkaware.ie and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Euro 2012 Survival Guide includes tips on travelling safely to and in Poland, including advice from the department on the European Health Insurance Card, local currency, what to do in an emergency and contacts for the local Irish embassy. It also provides information on public transport options in Poland, the Polish road toll system, responsible drinking advice from drinkaware.ie and tips on staying safe in the sun.

Unveiling the guide today, Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Eamon Gilmore encouraged people to check their passports before travelling and reminded them that, should they be lucky enough to travel to Ukraine, the country does not accept passports that are due to expire within six months.

He also advised fans to email their travel arrangements to themselves, including a scanned copy of their passports and details of health and travel insurance in case they lose their belongings.

He said consular assistance would be available in Poznan and Gdansk but said this was limited to emergencies. "They can't pay your way home. They can't pay your hotel bill but if something does go seriously wrong, the Irish Government, through our department and consular service, will be available to help." He said similar arrangements would be put in place in Ukraine, should Ireland qualify.

FAI chief executive John Delaney said record numbers of fans would be travelling to Poland in June. "We expect at least 20,000." The prospect of the championships had lifted the country's spirits, he said and people seemed to be looking forward to it more than any other championship. "I would encourage all the Irish people to get behind the team. Celebrate your country," he said.

"Get the bunting up. Gather in your houses or pubs or wherever it is, responsibly doing so, and celebrate being Irish."

Drinkaware.ie chief executive Fionnuala Sheehan said this was the latest in a series of guides by drinkaware.ie and followed guides about surviving events such as stag and hen nights, the Leaving Cert, festivals and holidays.

"In addition to being available for download on the drinkaware.ie website, we will also be printing over 15,000 copies of the Euro 2012 Survival Guide. The guide will be available to Irish fans in Irish airports and on board Irish Ferries in the run up to June."

Ireland will play Croatia in Poznan on June 10th. This will be followed by the Spain vs Ireland match in Gdansk on June 14th and the Italy match in Poznan on June 18th.