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Diplomatic Representation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 November 2004

Wednesday, 24 November 2004

Questions (79, 80, 81)

Olwyn Enright

Question:

55 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has plans to open diplomatic relations with any new states over the remainder of 2004 and during the course of 2005; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30030/04]

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Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is intended to establish further new embassies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30693/04]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 55 and 150 together.

Ireland maintains diplomatic relations with more than 150 countries. The opening of diplomatic relations with new states is kept under constant review.

As indicated in the context of the Estimate announcements on 18 November, I hope to be in a position to go to the Government in the near future with proposals for extending our range of diplomatic missions, especially into new member states of the EU where we have not yet established an embassy and also to Bulgaria and Romania. Opening missions in these countries will allow us to take advantage of the very positive profile built up during our Presidency. The aim will be to deliver real added value for the country across all areas, including the further growth of our trade and economic links.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

56 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will report on the new EU diplomatic service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30268/04]

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Article III-296 of the European Constitution provides that the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs shall be assisted by a European external action service. This service shall work in co-operation with the diplomatic services of the member states and shall comprise officials from relevant departments of the General Secretariat of the Council and the Commission as well as staff seconded from national diplomatic services of the member states.

The organisation and functioning of the service are to be established by the Council, acting by QMV, on a proposal by the Union Foreign Minister and with the consent of the Commission.

While the service cannot be established until after entry into force of the European Constitution, for which the target date of 1 November 2006 has been set, a declaration of the Intergovernmental Conference states that, following signature of the European Constitution, which took place on 29 October, the Secretary-General-High Representative, Javier Solana, the Commission and the member states are to begin preparatory work on the service. There have already been some informal discussions and contacts and we look forward to proposals on how preparatory work is to be structured.

Inevitably, the establishment and development of the new service will involve complex organisational issues. Ireland will wish to ensure that it is properly equipped and organised to fulfil its mandate of assisting the Union Minister for Foreign Affairs and that it properly reflects the dual role of the Minister vis-à-vis both the Commission and the Council. We will also want to ensure that the member states collectively, and individual member states, are fully involved in preparatory work and that there is transparency and equity as regards the staffing of the service and access to the information generated by it.

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