Seán Kenny
Question:729. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to open an office of the Consulate General in Melbourne, Australia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1381/15]
View answerWednesday, 14 January 2015
Questions (729, 742)
Brendan Smith
Question:742. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to extend the diplomatic network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1781/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 729 and 742 together.
The Government decided in January 2014 to expand Ireland's diplomatic network, with the establishment of five new embassies and three new consulates general. With these and other changes to the diplomatic network, my Department now operates a global network of 80 overseas missions consisting of 61 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions, 11 Consulates General and one Representative Office.
The scale and deployment of our diplomatic network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any possible reconfiguration would require a Government Decision and would have regard to national priorities and available resources. Those priorities include the State’s strategic economic and political interests, including trade and inward investment, support for Irish citizens abroad, support for Irish exporters, and the promotion of our values as regards human rights, international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes within and among states.
There are no proposals currently under consideration with regard to the opening of a consulate in Melbourne.