Special Olympics organisers are hopeful that all athletes from SARS-affected areas will take part in the games after a ban on Hong Kong participating was lifted at the weekend.
Taiwan is the last remaining country whose athletes face exclusion and officials are working on a plan which would see the 70-strong delegation accommodated in a virus-free area for 10 days before they arrive in Ireland.
Mr Julian Davis, a spokesman for the games' organising committee, said he was "delighted" at the Department of Health's decision to admit the Hong Kong team and was confident all athletes could now participate.
"We'll be moving heaven and earth to make it happen for the Taiwan team. We're thrilled that it looks like everyone may be able to come. It should have been the case all the way along, but it's resolved now and it's time to move on," he said.
Even if the team gets the go-ahead to participate in the games, it will be too late for them to participate in the host town programme.
A spokeswoman for the Portlaoise host town committee, Ms Margaret Ryan, said she was "frustrated and disappointed" at the handling of the issue but would be delighted if the team was able to make it to the games.
"None of this need have happened. The Department could have made this decision 20 days ago. It seems political pressure and common sense prevailed in the end. Obviously we're disappointed, but the priority was always the athletes," Ms Ryan said.
The host town committee had four days of activities and events organised for the team and had raised €35,000, which will now be directed to a range of disability projects.
The Department of Health's decision to admit the Hong Kong team came after mounting criticism, including a stinging attack from the president of the Special Olympics, Mr Timothy P. Shriver.
Mr Shriver, a nephew of the late John F. Kennedy, described the travel restrictions as a "low point" in the history of the games and said there was "no logical justification" for the exclusion of athletes.
A spokeswoman for the Department said there was "no question of a U-turn" and that the decision to admit the team took into consideration the views of its SARS expert group.
The Department agreed to a proposal put forward by Hong Kong government officials to send the team to Macau, a non-affected region, for 10 days, during which their medical condition will be closely monitored. A medical examination of athletes and coaches will be conducted before their departure for Dublin.
Hong Kong government officials yesterday said they were happy with the arrangements and thanked the Department for their help in helping to find a solution to the travel restrictions.
The first Special Olympics team, Niger, is due to arrive in Ireland on Thursday, while the host town programme will officially get under way on Monday, June 16th. The games will begin with a spectacular opening ceremony on Saturday, June 21st, and will continue for a week.
