Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand that. That is fair enough. We can reschedule it. The Minister referred to the consular staff and the service in particular, and the work that is being done here in Dublin by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. I want to record my appreciation of this. Unfortunately, we all have instances where tragedies happen to families that we represent. The professionalism, efficiency and compassion shown at very difficult times is exceptional. It makes me proud and I mentioned it to the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, in the Dáil.

I have raised the issue of the emigrant support programme. I am disappointed that there is no increase there. I note there were 490 applications, which is an increase from 319 different groups last year. What is the approval rate? It is a really good programme and I have seen it work. I have seen it on visits to London, Chicago and other places. It is very valuable and a very good link. Will the Minister comment on why we have not increased the funding?

The passport service has had its funding increased 6% year on year up to the end of 2017. It is very pressurised and I understand that. Does the Minister feel he has the resources required to meet the increased demand which will continue to increase this year? Last year well in excess of 10% of the passports issued were issued to people in the North and Britain, and that will increase further.

Will there be an additional requirement for the public services card to be used when applying for a new passport, whether it is a first passport or a renewal? If there is a plan to do this, would it mean that there was a different requirement for those applying for passports outside the Republic of Ireland, in the North of Ireland or Britain?

Looking to the Brexit challenges, it is a shame that we cannot have a policy debate here now. I was in Brussels the week before last and have met some of the additional staff who have been employed to deal with the challenges of Brexit in our permanent representation there. They are doing a superb job. Over this year and up to March 2019, every priority must be given to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that it is staffed and resourced. When Fianna Fáil, the main Opposition party, has travelled abroad, it has given the Government approach on Brexit and Ireland's challenges with Europe and we are showing a united front. I want to make sure that the Minister's Department is happy that it has the resources needed.

The Minister referred to official development assistance, ODA, in his opening remarks and the commitment to reach 0.7% of gross national income, GNI. We have discussed this several times and all parties are in agreement. The Minister said that he would publish a roadmap on this, which is something that I have called for. When does he intend to do that? It might be a question for the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon.

The Minister referred to the additional six missions which he announced will open and the doubling of the global footprint by 2025. I was told that doubling does not necessarily mean the doubling of the number of embassies or consulates.

I have tried to grapple with that answer. What does it mean and how many embassies or consulates will we reopen? I welcome that the Minister has stated that he will publish a plan in that regard, which I presume will go to Cabinet to be agreed. Will he publish that plan and the criteria on which the decisions are made? I wish to know how we decide where embassies are opened. I welcomed the openings of embassies in Bogota, Mumbai and elsewhere but it is important for us to know the rationale for opening embassies and what our priorities are in that regard. Will the Minister publish that plan and, if so, when?