I propose to take questions Nos. 458 and 459 together.
Ireland at present maintains diplomatic relations, either on a resident or non-resident basis, with 57 countries. Resident Embassies, normally headed by ambassadors, are maintained in 29 of these countries. In the case of the remaining 28 countries with which Ireland maintains diplomatic relations, these relations are conducted by means of the concurrent accreditation of ambassadors from elsewhere to the countries concerned.
In addition Ireland maintains permanent representations or missions to a number of international organisations. These are the United Nations at New York and at Geneva and the European Communities at Brussels. Ireland also maintains through the embassy in Paris permanent delegations to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. A non-resident permanent representative is accredited to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, Ireland, in connection with its bilateral aid programme, also maintains Development Co-operation Offices in Lesotho (classified as a consulate-general), Tanzania and Zambia. Consulates-general (in the charge of career officers) are maintained in New York, Chicago, Boston and San Francisco.
A list of the countries with which Ireland at present has diplomatic relations is given at Annex I.
The names of our ambassadors abroad and the numbers of staff in their missions are contained in pages 164-170 of the current issue of the State Directory. The following changes have occurred since its publication and the information therein might be amended accordingly: Ambassador to Canada, Mr. S. Gaynor; Ambassador to People's Republic of China, Mr. D. Waldron; Ambassador to Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. J. Campbell; Ambassador to Great Britain, Mr. N. Dorr; Ambassador to Italy, Mr. E. Kennedy; Ambassador to Lebanon, Mr. J. Craig; Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. S. O hUiginn; Ambassador to Spain, Mr. G. O Clerigh; Ambassador to Sweden, Mr. G. O Broin.
The State Directory also lists Irish honorary consuls abroad at pages 170-173.
Costs in relation to maintaining our embassies abroad are given in the book of "Revised Estimates for Public Services" for the year 1984 in pages 182 to 185 in respect of expenditure from the Vote for Foreign Affairs and in pages 29 and 30 in respect of expenditure from the Vote for Public Works and Buildings. With regard to subhead B.1 (Travel and Incidental Expenses), subhead B.2 (Office Machinery and Other Office Supplies) and subhead C (Post Office Services) of the Vote for Foreign Affairs, a breakdown of the total cost of these subheads on a mission by mission basis is not readily available. A breakdown of the expenditure on the Vote for Public Works and buildings together with information on the ownership of embassy accommodation and the cost of purchasing such accommodation over the years is not available to my Department and the Deputy may wish to seek this information from the Office of Public Works which is responsible for the administration of the Vote for Public Works and Buildings.
The primary functions of Irish diplomatic and consular representatives abroad include:
—the monitoring of all developments in their countries of accreditation of interest to the Government in the political, economic, cultural and other fields;
—the presentation of Irish Government policy in all such matters to the foreign Governments concerned;
—the development of Ireland's trade and other foreign earnings with the countries concerned;
—the dissemination of information on Ireland;
—the protection of Irish citizens and their interests and
—the provision of other consular services (including the issue of passports).
Annex I
List of Countries with which Ireland Maintains Diplomatic Relations.
Algeria (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Madrid)
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Jeddah)
Belgium
Brazil (non-resident; Ambassador-designate from Lisbon)
Canada
People's Republic of China
Czechoslovakia (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Vienna)
Denmark
Egypt
Finland (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Moscow)
France
Federal Republic of Germany
German Democratic Republic (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from The Hague)
Great Britain
Greece
Holy See
Hungary (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Vienna)
Iceland (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Copenhagen)
India
Iraq (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Beirut)
Iran
Israel (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Athens)
Italy
Japan
Kenya
Kuwait (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Jeddah)
Lebanon
Libya (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Rome)
Luxembourg
Malaysia (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from New Delhi)
Mexico (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Washington)
Morocco (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Paris)
Netherlands
New Zealand (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Canberra)
Nigeria
Norway (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Copenhagen)
Poland (non-resident: Ambassador accredited from Stockholm)
Portugal
Quatar (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Jeddah)
Saudi Arabia
Singapore (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from New Delhi)
Soviet Union
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Nairobi)
Thailand (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from New Delhi)
Tunisia (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Madrid)
Turkey (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Rome)
United Arab Emirates (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Jeddah)
United States of America
Venezuela (non-resident; Ambassador-designate from Buenos Aires)
Yugoslavia (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Vienna)
Zambia (non-resident; Ambassador accredited from Kenya)
