Vol. 398 No. 5
10 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the democratic transformations in central Europe and the critical importance of developments for Ireland and the EC, he proposes to establish a residential embassy in Budapest; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Government have been following developments in central and eastern Europe closely, both on the political level and in the economic arena. We welcome and encourage the progress made by countries in the region towards becoming pluralistic and democratic societies. Ireland is supporting political developments in the region through our participation in EC support activities and through visits and contacts.
However our network of resident diplomatic missions is small and must remain so for the foreseeable future, given our limited financial and personnel resources. We do, of course, keep the possibility of its extension under review in the light of our national and international interests and the resources available.
In recognition of the significance of recent changes in that part of the world, the Government have decided, with the agreement of the Polish Government, to establish a resident embassy in Warsaw. There are no plans to establish any other residential embassy in that part of Europe in the immediate future.
In view of the positions that have been adopted by the European Community on the one hand and the Government's of Hungary and Czechoslovakia on the other as recently as this week, would the Minister not consider that, notwithstanding financial constrains upon him, it is imperative now that he seek Government approval to establish a residential embassy in Budapest out of next year's budget.
The Deputy knows that it has always been the practice that we would never have detailed discussion in this House or anywhere else on whether or not diplomatic relations should be established on a residential basis or otherwise with any particular country. The matter will be under continuous review.
If financial constraints were not as stringent as they are, would it be the Minister's view that it would be desirable to have a residential embassy in Budapest?
At present we have 29 resident diplomatic ambassadors. My personal opinion is that I am sure there would be a considerable increase in that number were it not for the financial constraints on us.
I welcome the Minister's reply in respect of the siting of a full-time embassy in Warsaw. It is a very positive move. Surely the Minister should be able to get the Government to agree to a supplementary estimate to provide more residential embassies in these countries, six in all; Romania, Bulgaria, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland. Surely it is of sufficient importance to merit the siting of a number of embassies. These countries will be very heavily involved in trade with us and I am sure every trading and exporting country in the developed world is moving in there at the moment with residential embassies. Surely it is not beyond our capabilities to do likewise. It would be very foolish to say that we do not have the money to do it. We must get the money. Finally, could the Minister tell us what ambassadors are actually looking after those five countries other than Poland at present?
We are having an extension of the subject matter of this question.
Could I put a supplementary in addition to that of Deputy Deasy?
I wholeheartedly agree with the Deputy that we should not under-estimate the importance of these developing democracies in Central and Eastern European countries. Bearing in mind the importance we attach to those countries, the Deputy can rest assured that the matter will be continuously reviewed by Government. I will send the Deputy a list of the ambassadors.
Now that the Minister has announced the opening of a new embassy in Warsaw, would he consider re-opening our embassy in Nairobi in Kenya?
This question deals with Budapest only.
It is very important to our relationship with Africa.
The Deputy can put down separate questions.
