Jim Higgins
Ceist:12 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland does not have full diplomatic relations with Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Diplomatic Relations.
Jim Higgins
Ceist:18 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed to appoint an Ambassador to Turkey; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:30 P.J. Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when he will appoint a full-time resident Ambassador to Turkey.
Thomas Foxe
Ceist:35 Mr. T. Foxe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland has not got an embassy in Turkey; if he intends to open an Embassy there in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:36 Mr. Sheehan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs when he will appoint a full-time resident Ambassador to Turkey.
Thomas Foxe
Ceist:55 Mr. T. Foxe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason Ireland has not got an embassy in Kenya; if he intends to open an embassy there in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 12, 18, 30, 35, 36 and 55 together.
Ireland has had diplomatic relations with Turkey since 1951. At present, our Ambassador in Rome is accredited, on a non-residential basis, to Turkey. We also have an Honorary Consul in Istanbul.
In 1979, Ireland opened diplomatic relations with Kenya and established an embassy in Nairobi. As part of an overall review of our diplomatic representation overseas, this embassy was closed in 1988. Our Honorary Consul in Nairobi deals with consular issues arising.
Ireland's resident diplomatic network is small and, because of resource constraints, is likely to remain so for the foreseeable future. The size and spread of our embassy network is kept under continuous review and adjustments are made from time to time in the light of our foreign policy priorities. It would be inappropriate to speculate on possible developments in relation to any particular country, especially since any decisions on opening new embassies must be made in consultation with the Government concerned.
In view of the fact that Turkey has a resident ambassador in Ireland and full diplomatic relations with our Government and that we are the only EC country that does not have an ambassador resident in Ankara is it not desirable that we should establish diplomatic relations with that country in the not too distant future?
If resources permitted I would like to have the largest possible diplomatic corps representing this country on a resident basis. This matter is kept under constant review and I am aware from the files that the matter has been subject to review on an annual basis. It is a question of priorities. As the Deputy will be aware a decision was made recently to establish diplomatic relations with South Africa and we now have an ambassador resident there. We would wish to have an ambassador to Turkey and it will remain under consideration.
Does the Turkish approach to civil rights have any bearing on the Minister's decision?
No.
That reply was short and sweet.
That is the way it should be.
In his reply the Minister said our embassy in Kenya was closed in 1988. Was this done for financial or other reasons?
I was about to disclaim any responsibility but I have some notes on the subject. In 1979 we established an embassy in Nairobi but it was closed in 1988 following an overall review of public expenditure which gave rise to major cutbacks.
Is it envisaged in the foreseeable future that we will establish an embassy in Kenya?
The Tánaiste has not got time to do so.
Deputy Rabbitte, who aspires to be answering questions in here some day, was offering an answer.
Perhaps he is getting in some practice now.
It is unlikely that an embassy will be established in Kenya in the near future. As part of our procedures there is a continuous assessment of our requirements and our needs. We have an embassy in South Africa, in Nigeria and in Cairo. Obviously, on the African continent I would like to see embassies established in a number of countries. In parts of south east Asia there is a glaring omission in our diplomatic representation. These matters come under constant review and, depending on the resources available, we try to have the strongest possible representation abroad.
On the question of diplomatic relations with Turkey, has the Department of Foreign Affairs taken a stance on what some people would call Turkey's occupation of Cyprus? Have we taken a stance on Turkish Kurdisan and on the position of the Kurdish majority in Turkish Kurdisan?
We have positions on all of these matters and if the Deputy tables questions on them I will be happy to respond. I have had meetings with the Turkish and the Greek governments in recent months on various issues such as those the Deputy raised. I had discussions recently with the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation and also with the Iranian Foreign Minister on the question of the Kurds. If the Deputy tables a question I will happily give him all the information I have.
In theory, Turkey falls under the jurisdiction of our Ambassador in Rome. Our honorary consul in Istanbul, who is excellent, has complained very loudly and bitterly that he has encountered considerable difficulties getting visas to Ireland for Turkish business people whose bona fide he can underwrite. Our honorary consuls in a number of countries experience similar difficulties.
If the Deputy wishes to bring to my attention any difficulties that the honorary consul has brought to his attention I will certainly take them up as there should be no difficulty with businessmen from Turkey getting visas to visit this country.
Is the Tánaiste aware that Amnesty International is considering a number of cases that question some aspects of human rights in Turkey? Has this had a bearing on our position? I heard the very short answer the Tánaiste gave to Deputy Foxe but I wonder if he knows more? I have spoken to many Kenyans who had great praise for the Irish Consulate when it was operational in Nairobi. This was a very busy and outward looking consulate and certainly the parliamentarians, teachers, doctors, missionaries and others who are working there, often on a voluntary basis, miss it. Given our past, which has a great deal in common with that of Kenya — some would say a great deal more than with our EU partners — as a former British colony, would he consider the links with Kenya to be of considerable interest economically?
The question of establishing a resident embassy in Kenya has not been ruled out. If resources permit I would like us to have a stronger presence on the African continent. I am aware of the work done by our Ambassador there over a number of years. Because of our historical links with Kenya we would wish to re-establish an embassy there.
My reply to Deputy Tom Foxe should not indicate that I am not aware of the difficulties in relation to human rights issues in Turkey. This is a matter on which I had long discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey on his visit here last year. These are matters which we raise on an ongoing basis. The question of establishing a resident embassy in Turkey is under constant review. It is a question of trying to make the best of limited resources. In recent months we have opened embassies in Finland and South Africa. I hope we will be able to extend further in the next few years.