Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024
135. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his Department continue to use the Irish embassies and other installations abroad to further the trade interests of this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21130/24]
View answerThe Department of Foreign Affairs’ mission network plays an important role in promoting Irish trade throughout the world.
Ireland's network of embassies and consulates is central to the Team Ireland approach, which sees Government Departments and State Agencies working closely with other Irish stakeholders to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and drive the development of trade, investment and tourism. Team Ireland works to build education, science, technology and innovation partnerships; and promote our culture and creative industries.
The Department is guided in this work by the Government's Trade and Investment Strategy 2022-2026: Value for Ireland, Values for the World and works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, other departments, and our State Agencies in implementing the Strategy's priority actions, at home and abroad.
Working together as Team Ireland overseas is also at the heart of the Government's Global Ireland Strategy. Ongoing implementation is facilitating market diversification and intensification, and deepening bilateral relations in support of our economic and political objectives. To date, 26 new missions have been opened or announced under the Global Ireland strategy, with their potential to diversify our markets and increase trade and investment with Ireland a key consideration in the selection of locations.
In addition to sustaining strong bilateral relationships and working to maintain and protect the rules based international order - both critical for the realisation of Ireland's trade and investment objectives - embassies and consulates support the State Agencies in their delivery of strategic objectives in overseas markets.
Officers within the mission network engage in economic and public diplomacy to advance Ireland’s prosperity, as part of overall duties to promote Ireland's interests and support our citizens. They also support Ministerial visits and trade missions, in partnership with Team Ireland colleagues. Missions also work more specifically on a range of trade-related issues, including market access, regulatory compliance, visas, phyto-sanitary issues, and double taxation agreements. The role of the network in promoting and protecting Irish trade interests is particularly important in markets with limited or no State Agency presence.
