Diplomatic Representation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 January 2023

Wednesday, 25 January 2023

Ceisteanna (104)

John Paul Phelan

Ceist:

104. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 594 and 595 of 18 January 2023, if he views the staff complement of the embassy of Saudi Arabia in Dublin, which with 28 staff, has the joint second-highest complement of staff of any embassy in Dublin and has as many staff as the embassy of the United Kingdom, as "reasonable and normal", pursuant to Article 11 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3431/23]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs

As previously advised Ireland’s general practice is not to enter into specific agreements regarding the size of individual Missions or to require that the size of individual Missions be kept within specified limits.

As previously noted, we keep our policies in this regard under review and it is open to the State to raise the issue of staffing with an individual Mission at any time, including under Article 11 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, should this be deemed necessary.

I would not consider it appropriate to comment on the staffing complement of any individual Embassy.