Eamon Gilmore
Ceist:134 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if and when the Government proposes to appoint an honorary consul in Amman, Jordan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6418/03]
Written Answers - Diplomatic Representation.
I have approved the nomination of a person for appointment as Honorary Consul in Amman. However, for that appointment to be confirmed, the agreement of the Jordanian authorities must be obtained. The Embassy of Ireland in Cairo, which is accredited to Jordan, is actively pursuing this matter with the Jordanian Foreign Ministry. When the agreement of the authorities in Jordan is received, the nominee will be formally offered the position for an initial period of three years and that may subsequently be extended by mutual agreement. When the offer is formally accepted, a signed letter of commission will be sent to the Jordanian authorities which, in turn, will issue an exequatur formally approving the appointment. The period of appointment will commence on the date of issue of the exequatur.