Darren O'Rourke
Question:46. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has plans to fill the Honorary Consul role in Malaga. [38428/23]
View answerMonday, 11 September 2023
Questions (46)
Written answers
Ireland currently has over 85 Honorary Consuls operating in more than 50 countries across the globe. Our global network of Honorary Consuls offers key support to the Government across a range of priorities, including providing a means of meeting the needs of Irish citizens and the Government in regions where we do not have a resident diplomatic Mission. These appointments are honorary in nature - unsalaried and non-pensionable.
Ireland has a network of 10 Honorary Consuls in Spain, managed by our Embassy in Madrid. Mr José de la Torre y Morín was the Honorary Consul of Ireland in Málaga, and he sadly passed away in October 2022. Throughout his over 40 years of service, the Honorary Consul provided key support to the Embassy, particularly in the context of the provision of assistance to Irish citizens visiting or residing in the region.
The consular needs of Irish citizens in the Málaga region continue to be met through the Embassy and our wider diplomatic network in Spain, including through a new Temporary Consular Office in Marbella which opened to the public this August. The question of how best to provide consular services and assistance to Irish citizens in the Málaga region on a long-term basis is currently under active consideration.
Question No. 47 answered with Question No. 15.