Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 September 2015
176. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the post of Irish ambassador to Egypt will be filled; and his views as to whether the post needs to be filled urgently, considering the ongoing case and incarceration of an Irish citizen (details supplied). [32581/15]
View answer177. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade given the delay in appointing a new Irish ambassador to Egypt and the urgent need to fill this post due to the ongoing case of an Irish citizen (details supplied) detained in Egypt, his plans to appoint an existing Irish ambassador based in the region to stand in as an interim ambassador until the new replacement takes up the post. [32582/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 and 177 together.
The Government has appointed Mr. Damien Cole, former Ambassador to Vietnam, as Ireland’s next Ambassador to Egypt. Mr. Cole has made an initial round of calls in Cairo and he will present his credentials shortly. Until then, our Embassy in Cairo will be headed by the Deputy Head of Mission acting as Chargé d’Affaires, in line with the usual practice.
