How we can help

What we can and cannot do

If you have an emergency situation when you’re abroad, our consular staff are happy to offer you any assistance they can. However, you need to be aware that there are limits to the help we can provide to you.

We can:

• Issue emergency passports/travel documentation (if certain criteria are met).
• Advise and support you in the case of an accident, serious illness or death.
• Help liaise with local police or other authorities, particularly if there is a language barrier.
• Contact your family or friends on your behalf.
• Visit you in prison if you have been detained.
• Advance cash to you in an emergency situation provided that the amount you need has been lodged in advance with us at our offices in Dublin or Cork or at a Garda Station.
• Provide a list of English-speaking lawyers, doctors or interpreters in a country.
• Provide a list of local undertakers in the event of a death.

We can’t:

• Offer legal or medical advice.
• Request your release from custody or request that you are given preferential treatment while in custody.
• Pay for your relatives or friends to visit you while in prison.
• Get involved in commercial disputes on your behalf.
• Get involved in any way in the legal processes in another country.
• Pay your medical or legal bills (even on a temporary basis).
• Advance cash to you (other than as above).
• Deal with your insurance company on your behalf.