Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 July 2013
38. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the capabilities of the State's emergency consular assistance team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36159/13]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has responsibility for the provision of consular assistance to Irish citizens abroad. Consular Services Division is the lead Division in relation to the response to consular emergencies and the provision of travel advice. The Development Cooperation Division which, inter alia, manages the Government's overseas aid programme, is also concerned with protection issues, particularly in relation to the deployment of Irish aid agencies and individual aid workers in the developing world where, inevitably, they will often find themselves in sensitive situations on account of the nature of their humanitarian work.
The Department has in place a "Response Plan in the event of a Consular Emergency Abroad", which details the step-by-step approach that will be followed in the event of a serious emergency overseas involving Irish citizens. This envisages, inter alia, the possible deployment of the Emergency Civilian Assistance Team (ECAT) as part of the response to such an emergency. ECAT provides "surge capacity" to support and complement the work of Consular Division, for more specialised tasks in areas of fragility, conflict and instability particularly in the developing world. Members of ECAT, who serve in a voluntary capacity, have training in stress management, security awareness, negotiation and mediation.
