James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not trying to undermine the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs does. It does enormously positive work on behalf of the State, but that rule irks me a bit. People are not fully aware of this rule and it should not be in place. I appreciate we must get the top people into those roles, particularly where diplomatic relations may be strained or there is a strategic interest.