Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yes. If the Deputy recalls, last year the Government decided to recommence recruitment in the civil and public service, including the recruitment of additional third secretaries to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. That recruitment process is under way and being conducted by the Public Appointments Service. For some time we have been looking at embassies and consulates on what we call the light model. In other words, there is one diplomat and a small number of support staff. We will see much more of this happening. We have reached agreement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the staffing implications of the increased number of missions.