Embassy of India

Dublin, Ireland

Ambassador’s Profile

Mr. Sandeep Kumar, Ambassador

Mr. Kumar joined the Indian Foreign Service on 20 August, 1985. He has served in various missions abroad, viz Croatia, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Paris, Cape Town and Kabul. From September 2008 to January 2013, Kumar was on deputation to UNDP in Kabul (Afghanistan) where he worked on police reforms. From February 2013 to August 2015, he served as Joint Secretary in the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) Division of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. From August 2015 to October 2018, he served as Ambassador of India to the Republic of Croatia. He is currently Ambassador of India to Ireland with effect from November 2018.
Mr. Kumar holds educational degrees in M.Phil. in Environment and Development (University of Cambridge, UK), M.Sc. in Security Studies (University of Madras, India) LL.B. (Delhi University, India) and BA Hons. in English Literature (Delhi University, India). He speaks English, Hindi, Chinese, French and German. Mr. Kumar has a passion for the arts, travel and sports. He has written a non-fictional account of his experiences in Afghanistan: “On Edge”.

Officers and Staff as on 28.12.2020

LIST OF INDIAN AMBASSADORS TO IRELAND

*Accredited from UK

FACT SHEET

India & Ireland

Brief of India-Ireland Bilateral Relations

1. Historical: India-Ireland interactions date back to the 19th C, when a significant number of Irishmen joined the British Civil Service, medical, engineering and army services. During this period, Irish missionaries and educationists also spread out into all regions of India. Links were further strengthened by connections between the nationalist movements of the two countries since the early 1900's. Noble laureates Rabindranath Tagore and W.B. Yeats inspired each other.

2. Formal Diplomatic Links: These were established in 1947. India opened an Embassy in Dublin in 1951. The Irish Embassy in New Delhi was opened in 1964 (before Moscow, Tokyo, Beijing), and Honorary Consulates in Mumbai and Bengaluru in 1976 and 2000 respectively. Honorary Consulates were established in Chennai and Kolkata in 2010 and 2017. The Irish Government opened a full-fledged Consulate General in Mumbai in April 2019, as part of its Asia-Pacific outreach policy.

3.  People-to-people Relations: These were particularly strengthened after the crash of an Air India aircraft, Kanishka, off the south-western coast of Ireland on 23 Jun 1985 in a terrorist bombing. The extraordinary level of solidarity, support and assistance extended by the local population to the victims’ families created a unique bond. A commemorative stone plaque was installed at the village of Ahakista which lies near the site of the crash and an annual commemoration ceremony is organized by the local community. Minister of State for External Affairs, Gen V.K. Singh (Retd) attended the 30th anniversary of the crash held at Ahakista on 23 Jun 2015. Every year the Indian Ambassador attends the commemoration service at Ahakista (a video message was sent out in 2020, in keeping with pandemic restrictions).

4.VVIP/Ministerial Visits:There have been 3 Presidential visits from Ireland [Mary Robinson, 1993; Patrick Hillery, 1978; & Eamon de Valera, 1948] and 2 Presidential visits from India [Sanjiva Reddy, 1982 & S. Radhakrishnan, 1964]. At the Prime Ministerial level, Irish  PMs Bertie Ahern visited in 2006 & Garret FitzGerald in 1984; PM Modi visited Dublin in 2015. Pdt. Nehru visited in 1956 and 1949. There is a pending invitation for Irish PM to visit India, which is being worked upon. Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O'Connor visited India (Feb 2018) to attend the Irish Education Fair. Since 2005, an Irish Minister has visited India on St. Patrick’s Day (National Day), except for last couple of years. Minister of State for Training, Skills and Innovation, John Halligan visited India (Feb 2017). Minister of State for Employment and Small Business, Mr. Pat Breen led a trade delegation to India (Nov 2016).  Minister for Public Expenditure Reforms, Mr. Brendan Howlin visited India (Mar 2016). Other visits included visits of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr. James Reilly (Mar 2015), Minister for Children Ms. Frances Fitzgerald (Mar 2013), Minister of State for European Affairs, Mr. Paschal Donohoe (to participate in  ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi, Nov 2013), Minister of State for Education and Skills, Research and Innovation, Mr. Damien English (Nov 2014) and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr. Richard Bruton (Nov 2013 and Apr 2014).  Minister of State for Health, Jim Daly visited  Mumbai and Delhi (Mar 2019) on occasion of St. Patrick’s Day and the main take-away was decision to work on an MoU on Health. SG Dept of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Niall Burgess visited India (May 2019) to exchange views on issues of mutual interest. Minister of Tourism of Punjab visited Ireland (Sep 2019)  to take part in IndiaTourism Road Show. Minister of Health, Child Care and Social Justice of Kerala visited (Nov 2019) and had very constructive discussions with key health care stakeholders.

5. Terrorism: Ireland has consistently supported India in its fight against terror.  In the aftermath of the Pulwama cross-border terrorist incident, then Irish Deputy PM and FM  Simon Coveney issued a statement (19 Feb 2019), strongly condemning the suicide bombing, expressing concern at the increasing levels of violence in the region and maintaining that Ireland will continue to work with India and the international community to support a comprehensive international response to preventing and countering terrorism. 

6.  Major Agreements: (i) Agreement on Air Transport (Feb 1991); (ii) Agreement on Foreign Office Consultations (Oct 1993); (iii) MOU on Joint Working Group on Information Technology (Apr 2000); (iv) Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation (Nov 2000); (v) Agreement on Cooperation in Culture; (vi) Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation and (vii) Agreement on Cooperation between Science Foundation Ireland(SFI) and Indian National Science Academy (2006); (viii) Agreement on authorization for dependents of Diplomatic, Consular, Technical and Administrative Staff of Diplomatic and Consular Missions to engage in Gainful Employment (21 Mar 2018); (ix) MOU on Education needs to be finalised (could not be signed during visit of PM Modi in  Sep 2015). We are working on MOUs on Education and Cultural Exchanges.

7. Foreign Office Consultations (FOCs): The 8th round was held in Dublin in Feb 2020, led by Secretary (West), during which comprehensive discussions were held on bilateral, regional and global issues.

8. Multilateral: Both India and Ireland have been elected as non-permanent UNSC members for 2021-22, and there will be opportunities to work on shared priorities of multilateralism, climate change, peacekeeping, rule based international order in post-Covid era, peace and security.

9. Bilateral Trade in Goods and Services: Total bilateral trade for 2019 was Euro 1.2 bn (+25.82%). India’s exports to Ireland stood at Euro 636 mn (+13.58%) and imports from Ireland at Euro 480 mn (+46.80%). Main Items imported from India were machinery and mechanical appliances, telecommunications equipment, computer accessories, precision equipment and pharmaceuticals. Main items exported from India were organic chemicals, textiles, garments & clothing accessories, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, machinery, light engineering goods, plastics and rubber.  The opening of the Irish Consulate General in Mumbai is expected to trigger the trade volumes. Trade in services between India and Ireland has emerged as a major facet in economic relations.  The total trade in services, as per last figure  was  US$ 4.2 bn.

10. Investments and technical know-how: Embassy has been encouraging the Irish companies to engage in our major flagship programmes like “Make in India”, “Digital India”, “Clean India” and “Smart Cities”. Ireland has strengths in sectors like agriculture; clean technologies; fin-tech, med-tech; aviation; and tourism. Major Irish companies which have presence in India are CRH Taxback Group, Connolly Red Mills, Globoforce, Keventer, ICON, Kerry Group, Diageo, Glanbia. Major Indian companies which have presence in Ireland include Pinewood/Wockhardt, Reliance Genemedix, Crompton Greaves, Deepak Fasteners, Jain Irrigation Systems, Shapoorji Pallonji, Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Wipro, TCS, Infosys and HCL.  Post-Covid, Irish industry can contribute to our Atmanirbhar Bharat programme, specially in digital-tech sector.  There are possibilities in medical research, pharmaceuticals as well as frontier technologies like AI, i-cloud messaging, IoT, RFID, cyber security and VR applications. New opportunities have also emerged for recruitment of larger number of Indian healthcare specialists in Ireland. In context of Brexit, Ireland can emerge as a strong partner on account of its distinct advantages (English speaking, common law, low corporate tax, skilled workforce).

11. Education: Ireland has become a significant destination for Indian students seeking higher education, particularly post-graduate, doctoral and post-doctoral students in the areas of engineering, technology, medicine, and management. There are about 5,000 Indian students in Irish higher educational institutions. The Trinity College and Thapar University, Patiala have an MOU for joint degree programme in five engineering and science disciplines. New forms of S&T collaboration between India’s Dept of S&T and  Science Foundation, Ireland are being explored. A short-duration ICCR Chair on Politics and International Affairs exists at the Dublin City University (DCU).

12. Tourism: As per latest available figures, around 44,000 Irish tourists visit India annually, and a similar number of Indian visitors come to Ireland. Ireland gained traction as  a tourist attraction after the introduction of common British Irish visa scheme. Electronic Tourist Visa facility was extended to Ireland w.e.f. 15 Aug 2015, with no reciprocity.

13. International Day of Yoga (IDY): IDY-20 was celebrated in Dublin in alignment with local Covid protocols, and live-streamed to more than 10K people practising from home. Event was dedicated to front-line staff rendering exceptional services during the pandemic. Physical participants were mainly front-line staff from various Departments viz. Police force, Fire Service, National Ambulance, Dublin Bus, Hospitals and Cleaning Services. Other virtual events included Yoga quiz competition, My Life-My Yoga video blogging competition, Yoga films and free online Yoga classes.

14.  Gandhi@150 and Guru Nanak@550: A series of activities were undertaken for Gandhi@150 in 2018-19. These included kick-off celebration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral (02 Oct 2018), with rendition by famous musician Tom Toher of “Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye”; commemorative talks at Universities; release of “Walk with Gandhi”  illustrative book by Gabriel Rosenstock with illustrations by Masood Hussain; release of photographic book “Gandhi in Gujarat” by photographer Jorge Ruiz Villasante; plantation of Gandhi Peace Trees at University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin and at Michael Davitt Museum in County Mayo; Gandhi Peace Walk to Wicklow Mountain; community art work on Gandhi symbols, etc. There is in principle agreement by Irish authorities for release of a commemorative Gandhi@150 postal stamp and installation of a Gandhi bust in Dublin. Several activities were also undertaken for Guru Nanak@550, including installation of a commemorative plaque of renowned Sikh scholar, Max Arthur MacAuliffe from County Limerick who translated the Sikh holy scripture into English in early 20th C., as well as a travelling photo exhibition on Sikhism at Christ Church Cathedral Dublin and in various other cities.

15. Culture: A major Cultural Festival of India was approved  by Ministry of Culture for 2019-20, but had to be kept on hold on account of the Covid pandemic.  The local Indian community is strongly supported by the Embassy for its various cultural performances,  representing various States.  A major event in the cultural calendar is the annual Indian Film Festival, with screening of contemporary films, participation of film actors/directors and thematic panel discussions. Indian Tourism events and road shows are organised annually. Post-Covid, there will be opportunities to promote traditional Indian lifestyle systems and immunity boosting products like Indian herbs and spices. Embassy is  seriously pursuing proposals for institution of Yoga/Ayurveda Chairs in major Universities in Ireland.

16. Indian Community: There is approximately 45,000 Indian origin population in Ireland, of whom approx. 26,500 are PIOs and approx. 18,500 are NRIs. The bulk of the community is in health-care, IT, engineering and senior management positions. The community is well-regarded locally and has integrated well into Irish society.  Former Irish PM and current DPM, Leo Varadkar (41 years) has Indian ancestry (father is Indian, mother is Irish). Some major Irish Govt decisions in recent past have had positive implications for Indian community: (i) allowing wearing of turbans and hijabs as part of police uniform code (Apr 2019); (ii) non-requirement of obtaining additional work permit for spouses and partners of Critical Skill Employment Permit holders (Mar 2019) which is likely to attract more Indian high-skilled workers to Ireland, particularly in high-tech, medical and management sectors. (iii) Non-requirement of obtaining re-entry visa for GNIB card holders (Apr 2019).

17. Covid-19 Support Structures: At the outset of Covid pandemic (Mar 2020), Embassy put in place institutional  support structures to assist Indian citizens. These included setting up of 24/7 helplines, Community Support Groups in all major cities of Ireland, as well as partnerships with Indian Associations, gurudwara, religious bodies and voluntary groups. Special support systems were instituted at Universities for the students. Embassy’s social media platforms were used effectively. Regular webinars were held with Indian community members. Two Vande Bharat Mission repatriation flights were organised from Dublin to various destinations in India for stranded citizens (May-Jun 2020).

Ahakista Memorial

The Air India Memorial at Ahakista in Co. Cork, Ireland

A modest memorial at Ahakista, Co.Cork, elegant in its simplicity, stands testimony to the tragedy of the crash of Air India Kanishka on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, not far from the memorial site. The plane was blown up in mid-air not long after it took off from Montreal en route to India on June 23rd 1985 in what was perhaps one of the worst acts of terrorism, killing all 329 passengers and crew members, a majority of them Canadian nationals of Indian origin, on board.

The spirit with which the people of Ahakista and the nearby areas rose to the occasion in solidarity with the families of the victims is a saga but a story largely unknown. Apart from emergency assistance in identifying the bodies and locating and collecting the debris, they opened their hearts and homes to complete strangers and generously put them up in their hour of grief. They continue to do so to this day, over three decades later.

Out of the ruins of a tragedy, there was thus born a unique, and most beautiful, bond of friendship between the Irish and Indian peoples. 30th Anniversary Commemoration on June 23, 2015 was attended by Minister of State for External Affairs, Retd. Gen.V.K.Singh along with Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan and the Canadian Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Peter McKay.

Useful resources

Make in India: https://www.makeinindia.com/home

Tenders: https://www.indianembassydublin.gov.in/tenders/

Trade & Investments in India: https://www.indianembassydublin.gov.in/page/investments/

India education:
https://www.indianembassydublin.gov.in/page/education/

India Tourism: https://www.indianembassydublin.gov.in/page/tourism/

India Medical Tourism: https://www.indianembassydublin.gov.in/page/medical/

Indian Diplomacy at work: https://www.indianembassydublin.gov.in/page/diplomacy/

FAQs
Business Visa

Q .No.1: What is a Business Visa?

Business Visa is granted to a foreign national who wants to visit India to establish an industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture, or wants to purchase/sell industrial products in India. This Visa is granted subject to following conditions:-

(i) The applicant is a person of assured financial standing and expertise in the field of the intended business.

(ii) The applicant is not visiting India for the business of money lending or petty trading, or for a full time employment in India involving payment of salary in India etc.

(iii)The facility of Business Visa will also be extended to senior executives of firms, experts, tour conductors and travel agents, etc., visiting India in connection with work related to projects of national importance, including those undertaken by public sector undertakings, and conducting business tours of foreigners or business relating to it, etc.

(iv) A foreign national will have to comply with all other requirements like payment of tax liabilities etc.

(v)The grant of Business Visa is subject to any instructions issued by the Government of India on the basis of reciprocity with other foreign countries from time to time.

(v) The Business Visa must be issued from the country of origin, or from the country of domicile of the foreigner provided the period of permanent residence of that applicant in that particular country is for more than 2 years.

Q .No.2: Who are eligible for a Business Visa?

(i)Foreign nationals who want to visit India to establish industrial/business venture or to explore possibilities to set up industrial/business venture in India

(ii)Foreign nationals coming to India to purchase/sell industrial products or commercial products or consumer durables.

(iii)Foreign nationals coming to India for technical meetings/discussions, attending Board meetings, general meetings for providing business services support.

(iv)Foreign nationals coming to India for recruitment of manpower.

(v)Foreign nationals who are partners in the Business and/or functioning as Directors in the company.

(vi)Foreign nationals coming to India for consultations regarding exhibitions, for participation in exhibitions, trade fairs, business fairs, etc.

(vii)Foreign buyers who come to transact business with suppliers/ potential suppliers at locations in India, to evaluate or monitor quality, give specifications, place orders, negotiate further supplies etc., relating to goods or services procured from India.

(viii)Foreign experts/specialists on a visit of short duration in connection with an ongoing project with the objective of monitoring the progress of the work, conducting meetings with Indian customers and/or to provide some high level technical guidance.

(ix)Foreign nationals coming to India for pre-sales or post-sales activity not amounting to actual execution of any contract or project.

(x)Foreign Trainees of multinational companies/corporate houses coming for in-house training in the regional hubs of the concerned company located in India.

(xi)Foreign students sponsored by AIESEC for internship on project based work in companies/industries

(xii) Foreign experts coming to India for imparting training for the personnel of the Indian company.

Q.No.3: What is the duration of a Business Visa?
Business Visa with multiple entry facilities is granted for a maximum period up to 5 years. A stay stipulation may be prescribed for each visit by the concerned Indian Mission.

Q.No.4 : Can foreign nationals coming to execute projects in India be granted Business Visas?
No. A foreign national coming for executing projects/contracts will have to come only on an Employment Visa.

Q.No.5: Can foreign nationals already in India for executing projects on Business Visas extend their Business Visas?
No.
Q.No.6: Can foreign nationals already in India for executing projects on Business Visas be allowed to convert their Business Visas to Employment Visas without leaving the country?
No
Q.No.7: Which category of Visa will be granted to family members of foreign nationals coming to India on Business Visas?
Indian Missions may grant an ‘X’ Visa [i.e. a Dependent Visa] to the family members of a foreign national granted a Business Visa at their discretion, subject to usual security checks provided the family members are otherwise eligible for grant of such a Visa.

Employment Visa

Q.No.8: What is an Employment Visa?

An Employment Visa (Specified 'E') may be granted to a foreigner subject to the fulfilment of the following conditions:-

(i) The applicant is a highly skilled/skilled and qualified professional or person who is being engaged or appointed by a company, organization, industry, or undertaking, etc. in India on contract or employment basis at a senior level, skilled position such as technical expert, senior executive, or in a managerial position, etc. 

(ii) Employment Visa should not be granted for jobs for which large number of qualified Indians are available. Furthermore, Employment Visa should not be granted for routine, ordinary or secretarial/clerical jobs.

(iii) The salary of the foreign national employed should not be less than Rs.16.25 lakhs per annum.

(iv) The foreign national should be coming for employment in companies registered in India. 

(v) In respect of foreign nationals engaged as teaching faculty at the level of assistant professor and above by the Central Higher Education Institutes the minimum salary limit for grant of employment visa is Rs.9.10 lakhs per annum 

(vi) The foreign national should not be a persona-non-grata to the Government of India.

(vii) The foreign national should not be on any warning circular or other restrictive list.

(viii) The foreign national will have to comply with all other requirements like payment of tax liabilities etc.

(ix) The foreign national must submit proof of his/her employment or contract or engagement by the company/organization, etc. in India.

(xi) The foreign national must submit documentary proof of his educational qualifications and professional expertise.

(xi) Foreign teaching faculty employed in South Asian University and Nalanda University will be exempted from minimum salary limit for the grant of employment visa. 

Q .No.9 : Who are eligible for Employment Visa?

Following categories of foreign nationals may be granted Employment visa subject to the fulfillment of the conditions mentioned above:-

1. Foreign nationals coming to India as consultant on contract for whom the Indian company pays a fixed remuneration, (may not be in the form of monthly salary).
   
   
2. Foreign artists engaged to conduct regular performances for the duration of the employment contract given by Hotels, Clubs, other organizations.
   
   
3. Foreign nationals who are coming to India to take up employment as coaches.
   
   
4. Foreign sportsmen who are given contract for a specified period by the Indian Clubs/organizations.
   
   
5. Self-employed foreign nationals coming to India for providing engineering, medical, accounting, legal or such other highly skilled services in their capacity as independent consultants.
   
   
6. Foreign language teachers/ interpreters.
   
   
7. Foreign specialist Chefs.
   
   
8. Foreign engineers/technicians coming to India for installation and commissioning of equipments/ machines/ tools in terms of the contract for supply of such equipment/ machine/tools.
   
   
9. Foreign personnel deputed for providing technical support/services, transfer of know-how, services supplies for which the Indian company pays fees/royalty to the foreign company.

Q .No.10: What is the duration of an Employment Visa?

An Employment Visa will be valid for entry and stay into India within the period of its validity unless specified otherwise and subject to conditions specified. Validity of an Employment visa will be as specified below: 

1. A foreign technician/expert coming to India in pursuance of a bilateral agreement between the Government of India and the foreign government, or in pursuance of a collaboration agreement that has been approved by the Government of India, may be granted an Employment visa for the duration of the agreement, or for a period of five years, whichever is less with multiple entry facilities.
   
   
2. A foreigner coming to India for employment not covered in (1) above (and also other than those being employed in IT software and IT enabled sectors) may be granted Employment visa with a validity up to two years or the term of assignment, whichever is less with multiple entry facility. 
   
   
3. In the case of highly skilled/skilled foreign personnel being employed in the IT software and IT enabled sectors, the Missions/Posts may grant visa with validity up to 3 years or the term of assignment, whichever is less with multiple entry facility.
   
   
4. In case of Employment Visa issued for a period of 180 days or less, registration is not required with FRRO/FRO. The Missions/Posts issue multiple entry Employment Visas for a period of 180 days or less. 
   
   
5. However, if the Employment visa is valid for a period of more than 180 days, it should carry an endorsement to the effect that the E-visa holder must register with the FRRO/FRO concerned within 14 days of arrival. 
   
   
6. FRRO/FRO concerned may issue Residential Permit on registration for the validity of the visa period. However, if there is any change in the residential address, the foreign national concerned should immediately report the change of address to the FRRO/FRO concerned. (It may be mentioned that at present the Residential Permit is granted by the FRRO/FRO concerned for a period of one year only and the foreign national has to get this extended every year from the FRRO/FRO concerned).
7. The Employment visa can be extended by the State Governments/UT Administrations/FRROs/FROs beyond the initial visa validity period up to a total period of 5 years from the date of issue of the initial Employment Visa on year to year basis subject to good conduct, production of necessary documents in support of continued employment, filing of Income Tax returns and no adverse security inputs about the foreigner. The period of extension shall not go beyond five years from the date of issue of the initial Employment visa.

Q .No.11: Whether a foreign company/organization that does not have any Project Office/subsidiary/joint venture/branch office in India can sponsor a foreign national/employee of a foreign company for Employment Visa?

Ans. No.

Q .No.12: Whether an Indian company/organization which has awarded a contract for execution of a project to a foreign company that does not have any base in India, can sponsor employee of foreign company for Employment Visa?

Ans. Yes.

Q .No.13: If the Indian organization/entity sponsors an Employment Visa, does this mean that the Indian organization/entity has to necessarily be the legal employer of the person?
Ans. No.

Q.No.14: Which category of Visa will be granted to the foreign language teachers/interpreters?

Ans. Employment Visa

Q .No.15: Which category of Visa will be granted to the foreign specialist Chefs?

Ans. Employment Visa.

Q .No.16: Which type of Visa would be granted to senior management personnel and/or specialists employed by foreign firms who are relocated to India to work on specific project/management assignment?

Ans. Employment visa

Q .No.17: Visa to family members of a foreigner granted Employment visa.

Family members/dependants of a foreigner who is granted `E' visa shall be granted `X' visa subject to usual security checks provided the family members are otherwise eligible for grant of such a Visa. Its validity shall be co-terminus with the validity of the visa of the principal visa holder or for such shorter period as may be considered necessary by the Indian Mission.

CYBER FRAUD

It has come to the attention of the Embassy that cases of cyber fraud are being reported by businesses where the payments have been fraudulently forwarded to Banks in Ireland.

In such instances it is advisable to contact the police authorities and concerned Bank at the following address:

Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation
Harcourt Square, Harcourt Street
Dublin 2, D02DH42
Tel: +353 1 6663776/Fax: +353 1 6663798
Email : sean.g.mcclafferty@garda.ie

Contact details of major bank in Ireland are given as below

1. Bank of Ireland

Email: contactus@boi.com

2.Permanent TSB

Email: info@permanenttsb.ie

3.Ulster Bank

Link to Online complaint form

https://www.ulsterbank.com/microsites/CompForm/complaints_form.asp

4. AIB Bank

Link to Online Contact Form

https://aib.ie/personal-forms/contactusform

Right to Information Act (RTI)

Contact details of Officers for addressing applications under Right to Information Act, 2005:-

Public Information Officer 

Shri P. K. Sahu
Second Secretary (Culture)/Head of Chancery
Telephone - 01-2060946 
E Mail –  hoc.dublin@mea.gov.in

Appellate Authority

Shri Sukhvinder Singh
First Secretary (Commerce)
Telephone – 01-2830770
E mail – com.dublin@mea.gov.in

Applications seeking information under the Act may be sent along with the prescribed fee in Euros, equivalent to Indian Rupees Ten (10) in cheque or demand draft favouring ‘Embassy of India, Dublin’.

Information is provided under the Act to citizens of India only. Applications should be submitted along with documentary proof of Indian Citizenship (such as copy of personal particulars pages of passport). Further information is available at  https://rti.gov.in. The mailing address is Embassy of India, 69 Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin-4.

As per section 6(1) (a) of the RTI Act, 2005, a person who desires to obtain information under the Act is required to submit the application to the Information Officer of the "concerned public authority". Applicants are, therefore, advised to send their requests under the RTI Act to the Embassy only when the subject matter can reasonably be presumed to pertain to the Embassy. While section 6(3) provides for the transfer of an application by a receiving PIO to another [concerned] PIO, this is clearly meant to cover situations where the application is addressed to a PIO on the assumption that it has been directed to the concerned PIO. Where the information required obviously does not pertain to the Embassy, the application may be addressed to the concerned PIO directly.

Payment of RTI fee online - Electronic Indian Postal Order (eIPO)

Applications seeking information under the RTI Act, 2005
may be sent along with the prescribed fee Through e-IPO* ( Electronic Postal Order) OR in Euro,equivalent to Indian Rs.10/- in cash/cheque or demand draft favouring Embassy of India, Dublin. [The rate of exchange for a particular month may be ascertained from the Embassy].

Facility of e-IPO for payment of fee under the RTI Act, 2005 The Department of Personnel and Training and Department of Posts have launched a service called e-IPO (Electronic Indian Postal Order) to enable Indian Citizens residing in India or abroad to purchase an Indian Postal Order electronically by paying fee on-line through e-Post Office Portali.e. http://www.epostoffice.gov.in, to enable them to seek information under the RTI Act, 2005. It can also be accessed through India Post Website,i.e. www.indiapost.gov.in. An e-IPO so generated must be used only once with an RTI application.

The User needs to get himself registered at the website. He has to select the Ministry/Department from whom he desires to seek the information under theRTI Act and the e-IPO so generated can be used to seek information from that Ministry/Department only. A printout of the e-IPO is required to be attached with the RTI application. If the RTI application is being filed electronically, e- IPO is required to be attached as an attachment. For more details please visit the websitehttp://www.epostoffice.gov.in.
This facility is only for purchasing an Indian Postal Order electronically. All the requirements for filing an RTI application as well as other provisions regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions, etc. will continue to apply.

 http://www.indiapost.gov.in/ and   https://www.epostoffice.gov.in/

The Credit Card or Debit Card of any bank powered by Visa/ Master can be used for this purpose.

Procedure

The RTI applicant is required to register on the website to create his/ her profile. Thereafter the Ministry/ Department from whom information is desired has to be selected. The eIPO is generated which can be used to seek information from that Ministry/ Department only. A printout of the eIPO is required to be attached with the RTI application sent in hard copy. In case RTI application is filed electronically, the eIPO is enclosed as an attachment. The profile is required to be created only once.

The RTI application accompanied by an eIPO is similar in all respects to the RTI application accompanied by fees through any other approved mode. All the provisions regarding eligibility, time limit, exemptions etc; as provided in the RTI Act, 2005 continue to apply.

Currently, this facility is available only for Indian Citizens living anywhere other than in India. By this measure, those living abroad would be facilitated to seek information under the RTI Act, 2005. It is hoped that in future, this facility would be extended to all citizens within the country too. Any public authority which accepts a postal order should also accept an eIPO.


Embassy of India Contact Details

Address: 69 Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin-4, Co Dublin, Ireland
Tel: 00353-12060932, 12060913, 12604806
Fax :00353-1-4978074

Office Timings       
Chancery - 09.00-17.30 hrs

Consular Section
Enquiries can be made by email or by telephone
Passport & OCI Services: passport.dublin@mea.gov.in
Visa and other services: visa.dublin@mea.gov.in
Counsellor (Cons): cons.dublin@mea.gov.in .
or call on 012060932 (1400 hrs to 1600 hrs).
(Submission of documents) 0930-1200 hrs

(Collection of documents) 1600-1700 hrs

Emergency contact name and number: Mr. Sameer Rawat, 00353 899 680 420 (Only for death case, Medical Emergency and in Distress)  

COVID-19 Helpline Numbers: 0899 680 420, 0899 615 808, 0899 845 082