Vol. 408 No. 7
24 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has any plans to arrange for the appointment of an Ambassador to Israel and for the formal opening of an Israeli Embassy in Dublin; the reason this has not occurred to date in view of the long term diplomatic, trading and cultural friendship with Israel; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ireland and Israel established diplomatic relations and agreed to exchange diplomatic representatives in the mid-seventies. The Irish Ambassador to Greece is accredited also to Israel and the Israeli Ambassador to Great Britain is accredited also to Ireland.
The question of the establishment of resident embassies is a matter for discussion between the two Governments concerned and it would be inappropriate and contrary to international practice to comment publicly on such discussions.
