Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 9

Written Answers. - Diplomatic Missions in Africa.

Derek McDowell

Question:

134 Mr. D. McDowell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the level of Irish Diplomatic missions on the African continent, in particular to those countries which are participants in Ireland's Bilateral Aid Programme. [1570/94]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

Ireland currently has resident Missions in the following African states: Egypt, Ethiopia, Lesotho, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Three of these Missions — in Ethiopia, South Africa, and Uganda — have been opened within the past year.

Ireland also has diplomatic relations on a non-resident basis with Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia and Zimbabwe.

Five of the eight resident Missions in Africa — in Ethiopia, Lesotho, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia — were established primarily to implement the Bilateral Aid Programme. Ireland has technical co-operation agreements with each of these countries, providing the framework for our programme aid.

I am satisfied that the current number of resident Missions in Africa provides a reasonable level of representation, taking into account the small size of our diplomatic service, the limited resources available for its expansion, and the present size of our aid budget.

I would, nonetheless, welcome an extension of our diplomatic links with African countries. Steps are being taken at present to increase the number of African States with which we have non-resident diplomatic relations. In addition the Government has committed itself in the Programme for a Partnership Government to expand the Bilateral Aid Programme.