asked the Minister for External Affairs the names of all countries in which Ireland has a resident ambassador or minister and which do not have a resident ambassador or minister in Ireland; and if he will state the reason in each case why this situation obtains.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Diplomatic Representation.
10.
The Federation of Nigeria is the only country in which Ireland has a resident Ambassador or Minister Plenipotentiary but which does not at present have a resident diplomatic mission in this country. When I moved a Supplementary Estimate for External Affairs on the 23rd February, 1961, I explained the reasons which had led the Government to set up an Embassy at Lagos. We would naturally be very happy if the Nigerian Government decided to open a diplomatic mission here at some future date.
Do I gather from the Minister that Nigeria is the only country which has not a resident ambassador in this country?
In which we have one, yes.
I cannot understand that. Are there not several ambassadors who do dual representation for Britain and Ireland? Would the Norwegian Minister, for instance, be regarded as being resident in Ireland?
We have not a resident ambassador in Norway.
Nigeria is the only one where we have a resident ambassador or minister and they have not.