Dinny McGinley
Question:34 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of countries who have requested Ireland to open Embassies in their countries; and the requests, if any, it is intended to agree to over the coming 12 months.
Other Questions. - Diplomatic Representation.
At present we have diplomatic relations on a resident basis with 40 countries and on a non-resident basis with 61 countries. All of the countries with which we have non-resident relations have indicated that they would welcome the establishment of a resident Irish Embassy in their capital. In addition, a small number of these countries have requested us to establish resident Embassies in their capitals.
I am in the course of carrying out a detailed review of our diplomatic network which involves consideration of where we should open new missions in the light of additional resources becoming available.
Any proposal to establish a new resident Embassy would, of course, have to be agreed with the Government of the country concerned before any public announcement could be made.
Is the location of a resident ambassador in Mexico on the shortlist for consideration?
I prefer not to list the names as it is normal practice to announce the opening of a resident embassy only after agreement has been reached with the country concerned. If the Deputy wishes, I will be happy to communicate with him privately on this matter. My predecessor indicated that Brazil, Mexico, Norway and Turkey were being looked at and his intention is to seek Government approval for the establishment of resident embassies in those four countries. A memorandum to this effect was prepared in the Department but it was not circulated before the change of Government.
I am reviewing the situation and see nothing wrong with the four countries suggested. I will look at our priorities in terms of our economic and social concerns and our EU obligations and within the financial constraints to see exactly which ones will be opened. Obviously, those four countries are featuring.
I fully understand the brief from which the Minister is reading. Is the Minister confident he will able to come back to the House with an announcement on the new embassies before Christmas?
I would not like to put a time frame on it.