Worldchoice @ Fahy Travel Galway, Ireland - for last minute deals, weekend breaks & exotic longhauls

In Ireland, Passport application forms are available from all Garda stations and from Post Offices that provide the "Passport Express" service.

Children under 16 years of age, who are Irish Citizens may be included on a parents' passport at the time of issue and can travel to most countries up to their 16th Birthday without a separate passport. Children under 16 must hold there own passport for travel to the USA after the 1st of October 2003. A person over 16 MUST have his/her own passport. A child under 16 years of age can hold a passport in his or her own right with the consent of both parents.

Your passport is a valuable document. You must carry it when travelling abroad, including on visits to other members states of the European Union except the U.K., although it is advisable to bring some form of identification when travelling to the U.K. You will often have to produce your passport when registering at hotels or cashing travellers cheques.

For further up to date information on passports visit www.irlgov.ie website and look for Foreign Affairs, Department of.

Please note anyone intending to travel to the USA must have an electronically readable passport from the 1st of October 2003.

Some countries insist that passports must be valid for 6 or more months after the date you are visiting.

Many countries require Irish Citizens to have a visa before they can enter that country on holiday or to work. Please check with your Worldchoice agent about visas for your destination or the Embassy or Consulate of the Country you intend to visit. Please allow plenty of time to apply for your visa if required.

Prior to travelling abroad for an extended period you should consider consulting your doctor in order to discuss known or possible health risks. This is particularly important if you are visiting a tropical region or a country where the conditions exist for the spread of infectious diseases. If you take medication on a regular basis you should ask your doctor to prescribe an amount adequate for your visit and bring it with you.

Certain diseases are prevalent in particular world regions. Malaria is present in parts of Africa, Central and South America, Asia and the Pacific. Some diseases or illnesses - e.g. cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, various types of food poisoning - can be contracted from consumption of contaminated food or water, especially in areas where standards of hygiene are low. If you are visiting such areas you should avoid certain foodstuffs, particularly dairy products salads, seafood and untreated water.

For further information on vaccinations click on www.travelvax.net

If you are visiting another Member State of the European Union you are entitled to receive emergency medical treatment on the same basis as a national of the country concerned, but you must bring with you an EHIC issued by your local Health Board. Remember however, the European Health Insurance Card, does not replace full Travel Insurance Cover.