Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which this country is adequately equipped to meet emergencies from time to time, both within and outside Europe with particular reference to emergencies emerging in the Sudan/Horn of Africa; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20153/23]
View answerThe safety and welfare of Irish citizens overseas is among the most important priorities of my Department. We give advice and assistance to citizens overseas through our network of Embassies, Consulates General and Honorary Consuls, supported by the Department's Consular Directorate in Dublin.
Structures and systems for crisis planning are in place in my Department to ensure that we are prepared to respond and to assist citizens wherever crises occur. Important features of that include the ongoing training of staff, the readiness of our ICT and technology systems, and contingency planning with our Missions in crisis hotspots around the world.
Linked to that, each of our Embassies - including those in the Horn of Africa region - have their own crisis planning and preparedness structures, setting out how they will respond in the case of a consular emergency.
In response to the current crisis in Sudan, my Department's officials in Dublin and in the Embassy of Ireland in Kenya are leading the evacuation effort and continuing to support citizens and their families. In addition, the Government has approved the deployment of an Emergency Civil Assistance Team (ECAT) mission, led by my Department and supported by Defence Forces personnel.
