Vol. 468 No. 2
15 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will appoint a resident ambassador in Strasbourg to look after Council of Europe affairs in view of the enormous expansion of this body in recent years and its growing importance for Ireland. [14315/96]
Ireland's Ambassador in Luxembourg is also accredited to the Council of Europe on a non-resident basis. This arrangement has worked satisfactorily to date and I do not envisage a change in the foreseeable future. Ireland's network of diplomatic missions overseas is small and must remain so in view of the limited resources available for its expansion.
My Department will, however, make special arrangements to ensure that we are in a position to discharge our Presidency responsibilities in the Council of Europe effectively.
Although Ireland does not have a resident ambassador in Strasbourg, we continue to attach great importance to the role of the Council of Europe and we will continue to contribute to its work actively and effectively.
The Minister replied to a certain extent with tongue in cheek. I would welcome the appointment of ambassadors in a wide range of countries, but I accept that resources are scarce. Membership of the Council of Europe has increased enormously in recent years. With the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the Iron Curtain, a whole series of central and eastern European countries have joined or are in the process of applying for membership of the Council of Europe. They attach great importance to that body and invariably they have assigned residential ambassadors to Strasbourg. It is fitting, therefore, that we should do likewise. Does the Minister realise the importance of having a residential ambassador there and will he re-examine the position?
First, I take this opportunity to congratulate Deputy Deasy and his parliamentary colleagues, Deputies McCreevy and Kavanagh on their great victory yesterday in Druid's Glen, in the Deputy's constituency.
I am sure the Minister will agree that in examining the major issue of ambassadorial representation the question of the handicaps available to the three gentlemen should be equally examined.
They certainly should become a matter of public scrutiny.
Under the Ethics Bill.
I congratulate the Deputies.
We played against second rate players.
It is better to be a second rate player than none. I am very aware of the increasing importance of the Council of Europe in light of the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Despite the fact that we have expanded our diplomatic services by opening four new missions this year, there are difficulties in terms of limited resources. As the Deputy made a reasonable request to consider the matter, I will certainly do that. A diplomatic officer will be assigned from the Council of Europe section in the Department of Foreign Affairs to be a representative in Strasbourg for the duration of the Presidency, and that is a step in the right direction. I will consider the overall position as requested by the Deputy.
I am leader of the Irish delegation to the Council of Europe, although it remains to be seen how long that position will last. I find it embarrassing that while we are invited to receptions and meetings with foreign delegations, we are not in a position to reciprocate. Is the Minister aware that human rights issues in Northern Ireland with regard to Republican prisoners in British jails have assumed great importance in terms of the peace process? Does he realise that European countries can be of considerable assistance to us in ensuring that Irish citizens, south or north of the Border, get fair treatment, and that the Council of Europe is the precise forum where that can be done. The peace process can be furthered by ensuring that these people are treated properly and fairly.
I agree with the Deputy that the Council of Europe has a very important role to play in that regard. The main purport of the Deputy's contribution is that we should do everything possible to ensure we are well represented and that the resources and personnel are available so that we can make a sufficient input to the Council of Europe.
