Consular Services
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-05
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Neale Richmond (FG), Dublin Rathdown

The Irish Government maintains a very open and frank level of engagement with the US Administration at all levels, not only at federal level but also at local level, particularly at state and city level. As the Deputy knows, the Minister, Deputy McEntee, is in the United States at the moment. Where appropriate, we always raise those concerns. I have to stress this point. On the rights of the individual, it is also their right not to notify the Irish Government and not to seek consular assistance. We have to respect that right of an Irish citizen in difficulty abroad. When they or their family or friends seek consular assistance, either directly through one of our diplomatic missions or through one of the very many agencies, organisations or partners we work with in any jurisdiction, our diplomats work day and night. Those diplomats deliver a level of compassion, care and service that all Irish citizens deserve regardless of the situation they find themselves in. We will continue to do that throughout our global network.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-05/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:36+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-05