Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Bell for attending and for his work. I attended the presentation Deputy Micheál Martin organised and I heard much of what Mr. Bell said. It is extraordinary work. After the presentation, Deputy Martin, Mr. Bell and I had a discussion about appearing before this committee. I have been a member of this committee for a number of years and we had not heard about Mr. Bell's work, but this meeting, which the Chairman organised and the members supported, has done a great deal to highlight it. It was reported on "Morning Ireland" this morning, which again will make people aware that there is such support available. Obviously, during the trauma people experience they do not know where to go. Nothing can prepare one for such an event in one's life.

I agree with my colleagues on the application. We will support it and follow it up. When it is sent in, perhaps Mr. Bell will write to the Chairman and let us know that, even if there is a draft set of accounts. There appears to be some confusion but we will get clarity on that. I understand that the Department is very particular on the issue of money, as it should be, but Mr. Bell is seeking administrative costs to ensure that 100% of everything that is raised goes for its intended purpose.

The committee is working on its draft work programme at present and is due to discuss it this afternoon. As public representatives we have had varying degrees of interaction with our consular services abroad in situations such as this. Mr. Bell has more knowledge than all of the people in this room because he would have dealt with our consular service in every jurisdiction in the world where Irish people are located. It would be helpful to us in the committee, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our citizens to have a standardised system that takes account of things that have gone right and things that have gone wrong. In one case I was obliged to interact with our consular services in certain countries and the response I got was less than enthusiastic. I was told that the person's remains would not be returned for two weeks. Absolutely nothing could be done. That was the response of our Department on the ground, yet when I phoned around and contacted the authorities directly, the remains were on the airplane three days later.

Mr. Bell understands how traumatic the event is in the first place, but delay adds to the trauma. When somebody has to wait, it heightens the sense of loss. Obviously, the person has flown out from Ireland to another country, they know nobody and often there is no support network, because the Irish embassy or even a consulate can be far away. It might not be an English speaking country so translators and the like, which might not be provided by our consulate, should be provided. I would welcome anything Mr. Bell can tell us on how we could provide a standardised system. I could not believe the response I received from our consul. Most of the service has been excellent, but there should be a standard whereby a citizen of the State can and should expect certain actions to be taken by our consulate in a country when a loved one passes away. They should not be told that there is nothing it can do. That is unacceptable. Mr. Bell's work has been outstanding and we are delighted to support him. However, his knowledge and assistance to us on what could be done better would greatly assist those who find themselves in a tragic situation such as the one in which Mr. Bell found himself.