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Diplomatic Representation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020

Tuesday, 14 July 2020

Ceisteanna (454)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

454. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic missions, such as embassies and consulates, that were closed and not reopened as part of cost saving measures in the past ten years; if a cost analysis has been carried out on reopening the missions; and if so, the cost. [14660/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Ireland’s diplomatic Missions around the world play a critical role in promoting and advancing Ireland’s interests through international engagement. A range of factors is taken into account in considering representation overseas, including political, economic, foreign policy, trade and development priorities, as well as the availability of resources. The Mission network performs a wide range of functions in support of Ireland’s wider foreign policy interests, including representing and advancing Government policies, in particular in the context of the European Union and at the United Nations, economic and cultural promotion and development co-operation. They work very closely with State Agencies in the promotion of exports, tourism and inward investment. They provide frontline consular and passport services to citizens overseas, engaging with and supporting Irish communities overseas.

In 2011, the then Government decided that it was necessary to close Ireland’s Embassy in Iran, due to the acute budgetary pressures the country was under at that time. This decision was taken following a comprehensive review of our overseas diplomatic network in which particular attention was paid to the promotion of our economic interests. The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is now accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran and supports our broad policy objectives, including the development of political relations, trade relations and supporting the needs of Irish businesses operating or hoping to operate there. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul. Honorary Consuls are an important element of the State’s global engagement and provide consular services and assistance, as well as a range of other supports to citizens.

A decision was taken to close our Representative Office in Dili, Timor Leste in 2011. Ireland continues to have a very strong bilateral relationship with Timor Leste, through our Embassy in Singapore which is accredited to Timor Leste, and through Ireland’s Partnership Strategy for Small Island Developing States.

In 2014 the Embassy of Ireland in the Kingdom of Lesotho was closed following a decision taken in the context of a review of Ireland’s overall overseas diplomatic network. Ireland continues to have rich bilateral engagement with Lesotho, including in respect of development cooperation, through our Embassy in the Republic of South Africa which is accredited the Kingdom of Lesotho.

The network of resident Irish diplomatic Missions overseas will continue to be kept under review, including in the context of the commitment, set out in the Programme for Government, to Global Ireland 2025, and its aim to double the impact of our global footprint, having due regard to available resources.

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