Desperate pleas from Irish citizens trapped in forced marriages and complications from medical tourism are just two of the diverse reasons why Irish people call for help from Irish diplomats. We looked at the work of the consular assistance service.
DESPERATE PLEAS FROM Irish citizens trapped in forced marriages and complications from medical tourism are just two of the diverse reasons why Irish people call for help from Irish diplomats.
Such was the volume of people at the outbreak of the pandemic that they were forced to charter aircraft, including from Ryanair, to take Irish holidaymakers out of North Africa and other locations. While the office is a relatively small team, there are specially trained civil servants who can be brought in at a moment’s notice to increase capacity.
The Department has dealt with 340 incidents of deaths abroad in 2022, but sources are keen to stress that they are just the instances where they have been contacted. Often the call to the DFA helpline comes from here in Ireland when a family member seeks help, particularly in the case of when a loved one has died abroad.
Child abduction is also a significant problem over which the DFA interacts with citizens looking for help. Such interactions only follow and support the work of the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána investigators. While sources we spoke to were unable to discuss the case and how it was resolved that case pivoted around a problem associated with the leasing of aircraft.
The diplomats will brief the people on the local procedures. One key issue is they cannot assign lawyers to assist in a court proceeding, but they will give a list of English speaking legal professionals who are willing to help. The sources said that often the delays in dealing with situations is not because of any effort to obstruct but because local laws and processes take time. For instance in some EU countries, one source said, the body of a deceased person may be held for upwards of ten days.
A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson stressed that the work of the unit stretched further than just the traumatic incidents.
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