Friday, 26 March 2021

Week 2: Moving People

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing restrictions placed on international travel globally from March 2020 onwards presented huge challenges for the Government, and especially the Department of Foreign Affairs and its 90 Embassies and Consulates across the world. Staff at Ireland’s diplomatic missions, and the Department’s Consular Directorate at headquarters were tasked with providing emergency assistance to Irish citizens, residents, and their families at a time of unprecedented disruption and uncertainty.

Operations such as the evacuation of citizens from Peru, as well as from India and Nigeria; the assistance delivered to thousands of Irish holidaymakers across Europe and particularly in Spain, and the support provided for a range of repatriation efforts across the globe in cooperation with like-minded countries: this is the untold and ongoing story of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ response from 3 of the key diplomats involved: Ireland’s Ambassador in Santiago, Paul Gleeson; Ireland’s Ambassador in Madrid, Síle Maguire; and the Department’s Consular Director in Dublin, Elizabeth McCullough. 

Join us on Thursday 1st April 2021 from 12:45 – 14:00 on MS Teams Live. Register for the event here and joining instructions will be issued to your email address prior to the event.

This event will be facilitated by Prof Stephen Kinsella, Department of Economics, Kemmy Business School. Queries can be directed to elaine.mullane@ul.ie.