Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
137. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extra resources and personnel that will be deployed at the Irish Embassy in Paris during the upcoming Rugby World Cup; and if a temporary emergency out-of-hours phone line will be set up for the duration of the World Cup. [32356/23]
View answerMy Department is implementing a dedicated Rugby World Cup 2023 project that includes work on consular assistance as well as on promoting opportunities for Ireland during the course of this tournament.
To support our existing teams at the Embassy in Paris and Consulate General in Lyon, two additional locally recruited employees have been hired for a six month period and one additional HQ-based officer will be assigned to the Embassy in Paris for a two month period during the tournament.
There will be an enhanced consular presence in France to assist citizens as required during the tournament. This response will be managed by Ireland’s Embassy in Paris, supported by HQ-based colleagues. In addition to our Embassy in Paris and Consulate General in Lyon, pop-up consulates staffed will be established in Bordeaux and Nantes while the games are taking place in those cities.
Ireland’s Embassy in Paris will operate an emergency assistance telephone line during the Rugby World Cup that will be open Friday-Sunday of match weekends. This number will be disseminated across social media, online and via information leaflets ahead of and during the tournament.
