Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was part of a parliamentary delegation visiting Washington recently. We took the embassy staff away from other work they could have been doing and we appreciate the huge level of work the staff in embassies and consulates do. We manage to reach a lot further than our size would warrant and we should not be shy of providing the additional money to help staff do their job. There is a need for additional staff if we are opening embassies and consular services and we benefit hugely from the programme.