asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the countries with which Ireland has established diplomatic relations since 1st January, 1974; the number of new embassies established; and the estimated annual increased cost.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Diplomatic Relations.
10.
Diplomatic relations have been established since 1st January, 1974, with: Lebanon, Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Kuwait, Morocco, Quartar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates.
Of the foregoing we maintain an embassy in the Lebanon at an annual cost to the Vote of my Department of approximately £65,000. Ambassadors will be accredited to the other countries on a non-resident basis at an annual cost of approximately £500 in each case to cover travel, representation, and miscellaneous expenses. Embassies in Moscow and Vienna were also established since 1st January, 1974, though we have had diplomatic relations with the USSR and Austria before that date. The annual costs in these cases are estimated at £65,000 and £52,000 respectively.
In addition, annual rentals and maintenance costs for premises to be borne by the Vote for Public Works and Buildings will amount to approximately £30,000 in the cases of Moscow and Vienna and £40,000 in the case of Beirut.