Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Questions (101)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

182 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the tax arrangements in place for the Irish diplomatic service; if he will confirm that Irish diplomats pay tax to the Irish tax authorities; his views on suggestions that pay scales for the Irish diplomatic service are considerably higher than their counterparts in other EU and OSCE countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29775/12]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Eamon Gilmore)

The salary scales applicable to diplomatic grades are the same as those that apply to equivalent grades in the general civil service and, as such, are a matter for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The salaries of diplomats and other staff temporarily posted abroad are subject to Irish income tax and other statutory deductions in the same way as any Irish based civil servant. I have no information to suggest that the relationship between the pay scales of Irish diplomats and their EU and OSCE counterparts is any different than that of any other area of the Irish public service.