Vol. 449 No. 6
6 Miss Quill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is his intention to arrange for the exchange of ambassadors with any additional countries over the next two years, either on a residential or non-residential basis; and, if so, the countries involved. [4143/95]
As part of a review of our overall requirements in the foreign policy area over the three-year period ahead, the Government has concluded that there is a need for a limited and selective strengthening of Ireland's network of overseas missions. The Government has identified Eastern Europe and the ASEAN region in particular as areas where we are under represented and where it would be desirable to have resident embassies in place before Ireland assumes the Presidency of the European Union in the second half of next year.
Therefore the Government has decided to establish three new Embassies and the formal agreement of the countries concerned is at present being sought. I will give further details as soon as our consultation with the Governments concerned have been concluded and their agreement has been received.
When the new embassies are established, I envisage that they will be asked to undertake additional non-resident accreditations to some other countries in the region as a way of extending our network of non-resident diplomatic relations. Over the coming months, my Department will be carrying out a review of the arrangements for secondary accreditations to ensure that we obtain the maximum benefit from the new embassies in terms of our overall diplomatic representation abroad.
I note what the Tánaiste has said but it would be more helpful if he would name the countries involved. Will he say whether they are all in Central or Eastern Europe, or are some outside that region?
In the normal course of events I am informed that Protocol requires us not to publish the names of the countries until consultations with them have been completed. I am sure the Deputy, as a long serving Minister, would appreciate the Protocol involved. With the consent of the home Governments the intention is to establish embassies in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Malaysia.
I appreciate what Protocol entails, including not disclosing the contents of the budget in advance, and such like. Notwithstanding that, would the Tánaiste bear in mind that we have two embassies only on the continent of Africa, one only in South and Central America and that, apart from the regions he mentioned, there is a severe need for this country to be represented in other parts of the world?
Yes, but I am afraid we have limited resources; we have a limited number of missions. In answer to Deputy Ray Burke, on the last occasion, I said I would examine the overall question of our Honorary Consuls around the world in order to strengthen our diplomatic service. I am conscious that we have one represenative only in the whole of the continent of South America, a remarkable achievement on the part of the person involved, Mr. Davenport, in servicing our Departmental needs. It is a very difficult task but there is not anything like the penetration of South America I would like to see. Likewise, in relation to the continent of Africa, where we have two embassies, we shall have six Overseas Development Aid offices by the end of this year, which will be of help to us also. I am convinced of the necessity to expand our foreign service. Countries of a comparative size to ours have a much greater number of embassies abroad. I hope to expand the service and we are taking a significant step in that direction this year by opening three new embassies.
Does the Minister have figures on the average cost of opening a smaller type embassy? Has any cost benefit analysis been done to ascertain the potential economic benefits to be gained from establishing embassies in countries with large populations, such as, Brazil and Mexico.
I cannot give the Deputy precise figures based on a cost benefit analysis as he requested. I am convinced we need to expand our diplomatic service to promote relations with other Governments. Also, the benefits to be gained from expanding our diplomatic service can be ascertained from examining the experience of embassies we opened in recent years. For example, since we opened an embassy in Poland our trade with that country has increased enormously and there have been increased opportunities for Irish people to become involved in European Union programmes, such as, the PHARE programme and the TACIS programme. The results have been very beneficial in relation to the spending of the embassy. For a sum in the region of £0.5 million per annum an embassy could be run.
I agree with the Minister's analysis. Will he not agree that it makes a telling case for an expansion of our foreign service? Would he agree also that there is a case, in principle, for Ireland to strive to establish embassies in countries with markets that serve a population of 40 million people or more?
I agree with the Deputy in principle, but there are such things as Estimates. The Deputy will be well aware that there are limitations on the availability of money in terms of Estimates and expenditure. However, we have taken a first step this year. I hope it will be part of a process. I will advocate in trying to convince my Cabinet colleagues that it is in our interests to expand our foreign service.
I accept there are Estimates and restrictions on public expenditure. However, if there is a large pay-off in terms of trade, surely expenditure on expanding the foreign service is more than justified?
This should not lead to argument. I now proceed to Question No. 7.
