Catherine Murphy
Question:404. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has plans to appoint additional WTE fisheries attaché to the Irish Permanent Representation to the EU. [50935/23]
View answerTuesday, 21 November 2023
Questions (404)
Written answers
My Department supports the Government initiative "A Career for EU”, Ireland’s strategy to increase Irish representation in the European Union's Institutions and Agencies to make sure Ireland maintains its influence within the EU’s institutions for years to come. The success of my Department's diplomatic representation abroad in assisting in the retention, expansion and securing of access to markets is directly related to the support and additional work carried out in my Department’s line divisions at home.
My Department currently has two officers in Attache (First Secretary) roles who are serving in Brussels through secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs, one of whom is serving in a Fisheries specific Attache role in the Irish Permanent Representation to the EU. The Department's team is led by our Agriculture and Fisheries Counsellor. The demands of servicing the EU policy agenda, including fisheries policy, are under continuous review, including in the context of Ireland's next Presidency of the EU, which will take place in 2026. Any decision taken to increase my Departments oversea representation will be with due consideration to ensuring that our presence abroad supports the national interest, enhances market access and delivers on the expected benefits.