Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 June 2022
129. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the recruitment process of his Department in recruiting persons to positions as ambassadors; and if he will clarify whether or not such processes were followed in the recruitment of the new British Ambassador. [31347/22]
View answer130. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the position of the Irish Ambassador to Britain was publicly advertised; the number of persons who applied for the job; the number of persons who were interviewed for the jobs; and the dates upon which these interviews were conducted. [31348/22]
View answer131. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if a curriculum vitae for a person (details supplied) was received by his Department in advance of his appointment to the position of Irish Ambassador to Britain. [31349/22]
View answer132. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the diplomatic background of a person (details supplied); and if he will clarify whether the person has sat diplomatic exams. [31350/22]
View answer133. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will list the languages a person (details supplied) is fluent in. [31351/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 129, 130, 131, 132 and 133 together.
I propose to group questions 31347/22, 31348/22, 31349/22, 31350/22 and 31351/22 together for response.
The Government nominates officers for Ambassadorial posts on foot of proposals made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The nominated Ambassadors are subsequently appointed by the President and take up duty abroad following the receipt of agrément from the receiving State. Only serving civil servants are considered for ambassadorial assignments. This process was followed in relation to the nomination of the Ambassador-designate to the United Kingdom.
In considering the nomination of Ambassadors, a range of factors is taken into account including political, economic and trade priorities. In addition, management experience, regional knowledge, country knowledge, policy experience, consular experience, and other factors are considered as part of the assignment process. Foreign language skills, where relevant, are also considered. In considering the nomination of Ireland’s next Ambassador to the United Kingdom, having served in senior civil service roles with vast experience working across Government at the highest levels, including working with international partners and the peace process in Northern Ireland, the nominee was considered particularly suitable. The nomination was approved by Government at its meeting on 27 July 2021.
Assigned Ambassadors, and all other officers taking up diplomatic posts overseas, undertake a significant programme of pre-posting training to complement their existing skills and experience and to prepare them for their assignments in Ireland’s missions overseas. My Department does not conduct ‘diplomatic exams’ in relation to this training.
