P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:32 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans, if any, he has to open a resident embassy in those states applying to join the EU in which we do not have resident ambassadors. [4296/00]
Written Answers. - Diplomatic Representation.
I am conscious that Ireland's diplomatic representation abroad is small relative to our increasing engagement in many parts of the world and relative to our partners and our competitors. This is particularly true in relation to central and eastern Europe.
I am therefore committed to a targeted extension of our network of resident Irish missions as financial resources permit. Among my clear priorities, which are determined by Ireland's political and economic requirements, is the establishment of a number of new embassies in the applicant countries over the period ahead as those countries move closer to membership of the European Union.
As the Deputy will be aware, we already have resident embassies in Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Turkey. We have non-resident ambassadors accredited to the remaining candidate countries, that is, Cyprus, Estonia, Slovenia, Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Bulgaria and Malta.