Secretary for Home Affairs Dr Patrick Ho welcomes Ireland's decision to allow athletes from the Philippines to attend next month's Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin.

Dr Ho said it is in the spirit of the Games to enable the participation of as many athletes as possible.

He noted that the videoconference held last night between medical experts in Hong Kong and Ireland had helped both sides to understand their respective positions. The Irish authorities had earlier asked Hong Kong not to send its team to the games over SARS concerns.

"Our team, led by Director of Health Dr Margaret Chan, has gained a better understanding of the concerns of the Irish authorities and the Irish community," he said

Dr Ho reiterated the strong desire of Hong Kong's athletes to attend the Games as they had trained a long time for this - some for up to eight years.

"It will be a great encouragement if they can take part," he said, adding that the Hong Kong athletes would bring good will, and not trouble - certainly not SARS - to Ireland.

"That is why the Hong Kong Special Olympics has initiated extra precautionary measures to ensure that every member of the Hong Kong delegation is medically proved to be healthy before going to Ireland," he said.

"Sportsmanship and friendship are the only things our athletes would want to take to Ireland."