Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013
39. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the services his Department offers Irish citizens and their families who are victims of crime abroad; if these services have been reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15595/13]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware my Department through our Embassies and Consulates abroad provides consular assistance to Irish citizens who encounter difficulties, including victims of crime. These services are coordinated by the Department’s Consular Division based in Dublin. The assistance offered is appropriate to the individual circumstances of each case. The range of assistance provided includes issue travel documents, information about transferring funds, contacting family or friends, assisting with language and interpretation difficulties and also providing lists of local lawyers, doctors and translators. The Department also operates an out of hours Emergency Duty Officer service 365 days a year to assist Irish citizens in difficulty abroad.
My Department also provides comprehensive up to date travel advice and information for victims of crime on its website www.dfa.ie. However, this assistance is not a substitute for the purchase of private and comprehensive medical and travel insurance which we at all times recommend to citizens who are travelling abroad.
I wish to assure the Deputy that this Department regularly reviews the information provided in consultation with our Embassies and Consulates.
