Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I want to thank the Deputy for raising this question. The delivery of responsive, empathetic and consistent consular assistance is a key priority for my Department. Our Embassies and Consulates across the globe place a strong emphasizes on ensuring that our citizens who require consular assistance overseas feel supported in their time of need. I am proud of the work that my Department and the wider mission network does in delivering high quality consular assistance all year round.

As part of my Department’s commitment to transparency, the Department of Foreign Affairs publishes an overview of the consular assistance it has provided to Irish citizens overseas at the end of each calendar year. In 2023, the Department of Foreign Affairs provided consular assistance in 2,043 new cases. This work is in addition to the consular support that is being provided on an ongoing basis.

The Department does not record the location where each citizen ordinarily resides, in a format that can be collated and reported on. The Deputy will also appreciate that we provide consular assistance in a confidential manner and do not comment on the details of specific cases.

The Deputy can find further information on the consular assistance provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2023 at this link: gov.ie - Tánaiste announces Consular Assistance Overview for 2023 (www.gov.ie).