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Diplomatic Representation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 February 2019

Tuesday, 12 February 2019

Questions (135)

Niall Collins

Question:

135. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has considered reopening an embassy in Iran, particularly in the context of plans to double Ireland's global footprint by 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6809/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is currently accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. The Ambassador of Ireland in Ankara travels regularly to Iran in support of our broad policy objectives, including the development of political relations, trade relations and supporting the needs of Irish businesses operating or hoping to operate there.

Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul. Honorary Consuls are an important element of the State’s global engagement and provide consular services and assistance, as well as a range of other supports, to citizens and to the Embassy in Ankara.

The Government is of course conscious of the political, economic and trade factors which might warrant the opening of a resident diplomatic mission in Iran. Iran is an important local and regional power, as well as a large potential market.

Further, and as part of the Global Ireland 2025, the Government is committed to significantly expanding our diplomatic, commercial and cultural networks globally, while also continuously reviewing the scale of Ireland’s overseas network. In considering the expansion of our diplomatic representations overseas, a range of factors are taken into account, including our national political, economic, and trade priorities, as well as availability of resources. Regrettably resource constraints do not allow us to have resident representation in all locations that might objectively justify it having regard to those factors. Nonetheless, the question of a resident Mission in Iran will continue to form part of our on-going considerations under the Global Ireland initiative.

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