Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has assessed the number of persons stranded by the close down of European airspace; if he is ensuring consular assistance and support in dealing with the airlines is available should it be needed. [16183/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There is no firm estimate of the number of Irish citizens stranded by the recent air travel restrictions caused by the cloud of volcanic ash, following the volcanic eruptions in Iceland. Various estimates, ranging from 15,000 to 30,000 were reported in the media. The lifting of restrictions on air travel, which took effect yesterday, should allow those citizens unable to return home to do so over the coming days, although I am aware that some people in more distant places are experiencing difficulties in securing seats on early flights home.

I have been active over the last week to ensure that consular assistance was available to any citizens in need of it. Embassies and Consulates were active, from the beginning of the disruption, in offering advice to stranded citizens.

On Sunday 18 April, as the numbers affected began to grow, I decided to activate the Department's Consular Crisis Centre at Hainault House. The Centre is a key element in the Government's strategy for dealing with emergencies overseas. It has the capacity to deal with large numbers of enquiries from the public and is equipped with the most modern technology including crisis management software. It is comparable to facilities in other European and likeminded countries.