Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 February 2024
61. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance available to Irish citizens who require repatriation via air ambulance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6969/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs provides Consular Assistance within the remit of the Department's Consular Assistance Charter. The Charter sets out in a clear and accessible manner the assistance that the Department can provide to Irish citizens in difficulty overseas, including in cases of serious injury or illness.
With regard to air ambulances specifically, this is a matter for the Health Service Executive, which is the competent authority.
As part of the Department’s regular public communications campaigns on international travel, the Department strongly encourages all Irish citizens travelling overseas to purchase comprehensive travel insurance. The Department’s TravelWise: www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/overseas-travel/ website provides information on a range of different issues, including travel insurance, the latest travel advice for countries and the contact details for the nearest Embassy/Consulate in the event that a citizen requires assistance while abroad.
