asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the rapidly expanding numbers of Irish living in Melbourne, the possibility of increased tourist traffic and trade with that area and in view of the distances involved in travelling within Australia, he will establish an Irish Consulate in Melbourne.
Written Answers. - Establishment of Melbourne Consulate.
92.
As the Deputy will be aware, the embassy in Canberra has overall consular responsibility for all of Australia. There are no plans at present to establish a consulate in Melbourne but I will keep the matter under review in the light of the criteria which we apply to the establishment of a consulate in a particular country or region. These include the size of the Irish community and its need of, and access to, consular services; the existing or potential situation regarding foreign earnings and the availability of the necessary resources.