asked the Minister for External Affairs if he will state what additional cost to the State, if any, is involved in the appointment of a Consul and Commercial Attaché in Paris, and whether the previously existing staff of the Irish Legation in Paris had been found inadequate.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Appointment in Paris.
The additional cost to the State involved in this appointment is approximately £1,000 per annum. The existing staff of the Legation consists of the Minister, the Secretary of the Legation, a clerk and two typists. It has been found that the diplomatic and consular functions of the Legation occupy so much of the time of these officers that they have been unable to deal adequately with the commercial side of the work. It is intended that the Commercial Attaché will shortly extend his functions so as to deal with our trade relations with Holland and Belgium. The Minister in Paris will be accredited to the Belgian Government at a later date. It is my intention to develop the trade side of all our foreign establishments. That policy cannot be fulfilled without the appointment of officers, such as Mr. Kerney, with definite commercial experience.
May I inquire whether any machinery exists for the selection of officers for these posts— whether there are any selection boards or committees set up to judge the qualifications of the candidates?
There was not in this case, as Mr. Kerney formerly represented Dáil Eireann in Paris.