Almost 1,650 Irish people needed diplomatic assistance while abroad last year, for cases including child abductions, arrests and accidents, figures issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs show. Consular help was also given to the families of the 217 Irish citizens who died abroad.
If you've ever received the assistance of an Irish embassy or consulate, we'd like to hear from you. Leave a comment in the section below or send us an email to emigration@irishtimes.com. Thanks.