Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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68. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the protocol in place for assisting families with legal costs that have lost loved ones as a result of a criminal act abroad; if he will review the policy in this regard to ensure that financial assistance is provided to allow the families' interest be represented in subsequent legal proceedings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36654/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department is not in a position to provide financial assistance for Irish citizens involved in legal proceedings overseas and has no budget provision for assistance in this area. My Department provides consular assistance to the families of victims in such cases. It cannot provide legal advice or become a party to legal processes in another jurisdiction. Were the Department to provide financial assistance for legal costs it might be expected that the Department input into other aspects of a legal case such as selection of a legal representative, advice on legal processes, decisions and costs etc.

If the Deputy wishes to provide details of any specific case where hardship is being experienced by a family in the circumstances described, officials in my Department’s Consular Directorate would be available to offer consular assistance to the family.

The Deputy is welcome to write to my office with any relevant details.