Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 February 2019
49. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which new consulates and-or trade missions and embassies continue to pursue trade with other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9995/19]
View answer50. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new trade missions, consulates and embassies worldwide pursuing trade and diplomatic interests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9996/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 50 together.
The Embassy network plays a central role in advancing Ireland’s international trade as part of Team Ireland overseas. Embassies and Consulates around the world provide vital support for Ireland’s state agencies, including by supporting their strategic objectives and activities in overseas markets. The role of Embassies in supporting Ireland’s economic objectives is particularly important in markets with limited or no state agency presence.
In June 2018, the Government launched the Global Ireland initiative, which aims to double the impact and scope of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. Global Ireland 's targets include enhanced global engagement, the expansion of Ireland’s Embassy network and the strengthening of Ireland’s state agency presence overseas. Each of these measures will increase Ireland’s international visibility, facilitate market diversification and intensification, and deepen bilateral relations in support of the Government’s economic and political objectives, including in the context of Brexit.
As part of Global Ireland the Government has approved the opening of new Embassies and Consulates. In 2018 a new Embassy was opened in Wellington and a new Consulate General was opened in Vancouver. Ireland's Ambassador to Colombia presented her credentials earlier this month. There are posted and locally recruited staff also in place in Amman, Mumbai and Santiago de Chile, and these Missions will open officially shortly, with new Consulates General due to open in Mumbai, Cardiff, Frankfurt and LA later this year. Shortly thereafter, new Embassies will open in Kyiv, Manila and Rabat. The Irish Aid office in Monrovia was upgraded to an Embassy in 2018.
Locations for new Embassies and Consulates have been chosen based on a range of factors, including their potential to increase trade and investment with Ireland, to diversify our markets and to enable Irish companies to better take advantage of new opportunities.
Officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade across the Embassy network actively engage in economic and public diplomacy, to advance Ireland’s prosperity and raise awareness of Ireland as a great place to live, study, work, visit and do business.
The Department’s officers overseas engage with host country Governments and multilateral institutions on a range of trade-related issues, including market access, regulatory compliance, visas, phyto-sanitary issues, and Double Taxation Agreements.
The Embassy network also supports Irish businesses in market, by providing contacts and information, organising Ministerial visits overseas and supporting trade missions, in partnership with the state agencies.
