Olivia Mitchell
Ceist:143 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he intends to open an Irish embassy in Lesotho; if so, when he will take this action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20642/02]
Written Answers. - Diplomatic Representation.
The Government has had a long-standing commitment to development in Lesotho. It was initially decided, in 1978, to open an aid office there but, at the request of the Lesotho authorities, it was agreed to designate that office as a consulate general. At that time, there were only two other diplomatic missions in Lesotho.
The question of changing the status of the consulate general to that of an embassy or, alternatively, accrediting the Ambassador in Pretoria to Lesotho, while retaining the consulate general there, has been under consideration for some time. I hope to reach a decision on this shortly, taking all relevant factors into consideration.