Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funds which are available if a death of a family member occurs abroad or if the distressed family has no insurance cover for the return of the remains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36344/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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One of the core objectives of the Department of Foreign Affairs is to provide consular assistance to Irish citizens who live or travel abroad.

The main consular services provided by our embassies and consulates abroad are as follows: issuing emergency passports, assisting victims of serious accidents, illnesses or crime, assisting people detained, arrested or imprisoned abroad, transferring funds to Irish citizens abroad where conventional means are unreliable or non-existent, repatriating Irish citizens in emergency circumstances and providing assistance in connection with deaths abroad and the return of remains to Ireland.

If a death of an Irish citizen occurs abroad, the Department, as stated above, will offer all possible assistance and support including, where necessary, with autopsies, death certificates, liaising with undertakers and airlines, and so forth. In the great majority of cases, the cost of repatriation would be covered by the family in question. When necessary, the Department is happy to provide financial assistance locally, on a cost recoverable basis. In addition, in exceptional circumstances, including natural disasters, the repatriation of remains has been undertaken at State expense.

The Department strongly advises intending travellers abroad to take out adequate travel insurance prior to travel. This advice is available on our website at www.dfa.ie.

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in connection with the death of a person in Ibiza in August 2005, the Irish Embassy will obtain a detailed written police report on an incident and context in which same occurred, resulting in the death; the reports that the hospital gave to the policy authorities; the coroner's report and details of the medical samples taken from the body which the family understand are held in Madrid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36345/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Embassy in Madrid was informed on 9 August 2005 of the tragic death of a person in Ibiza and subsequently assisted the family with the repatriation of the remains. Officials from the embassy liaised directly with the police investigating the death, as well as the pathologist, the undertakers, the court and the doctors who had treated the deceased.

The autopsy report has been obtained, translated and sent to the family. Medical samples from the body were retained and sent to the National Toxicological Institute in Barcelona, so that an accurate assessment of the cause of death could be made. It is standard procedure in Spain to remove samples where the autopsy concludes that further investigation is needed. A translation of the resulting toxicological report has already been sent to the family. The Irish Embassy in Madrid will be very happy to liaise with the institute on the family's behalf to obtain the return of these samples. The family has been advised to this effect and also, in accordance with Spanish requirements, to forward a written authorisation to the Department of Foreign Affairs to enable the request to be pursued.

A separate investigation into the premises where the person died is ongoing and our honorary consul in Mallorca is monitoring this investigation.

On behalf of the family of the deceased, the embassy in Madrid also obtained the relevant police report and hospital medical file. These documents have now been translated and forwarded to the family.

The Department and the Embassy will be very happy to continue to assist the family, to whom our deepest sympathy goes, in every way possible.

John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 246: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the circumstances outlined in correspondence (details supplied); if his official will be instructed to establish the current status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36544/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the case to which the Deputy refers.

The person concerned was arrested and taken into custody on 20 November 2005 on a number of immigration related charges. Following a court appearance on 22 November 2005, he was released on bail pending his hearing which has not yet been scheduled.

The Irish Consulate in Boston has been in contact with him and will be monitoring the case closely.