Seán Power
Question:69 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, the Irish Government has to open new embassies in South America. [22411/97]
Written Answers - New Embassies.
Seán Power
Question:70 Mr. Power asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, the Irish Government has to open an embassy in Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22412/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 70 together.
I am at present conducting a review of Ireland's diplomatic representation overseas. While the resources available for its expansion are limited, I am conscious that our diplomatic network is small by comparison with other EU member states of similar size and that we are particularly under-represented in certain parts of the world.
In the context of this review, both Turkey and the continent of South America, where Ireland has only one resident embassy at present in Argentina, would merit very serious consideration for the establishment of resident embassies in the event of additional resources becoming available. Any proposal to open a new resident embassy would have to be agreed with the Government of the country concerned before a public announcement could be made.