A crisis centre to deal with major overseas emergencies will be unveiled in Dublin today.
The consular crisis centre of the Department of Foreign Affairs will provide 24-hour communications co-ordinating the State's response to events abroad affecting Irish citizens.
It will also maintain links with the area of operations and other EU capitals, and handle calls from the public relating to family members caught up in these emergencies.
The facility is to be opened today by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern at the department's offices on St Stephen's Green.