Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)
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I welcome this review, the significant point of which is the broad-based consultation process the Tánaiste has outlined today. It is also timely, in that the Tánaiste is undertaking it from a position of strength having had a successful Presidency of the European Council, the chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, OSCE, as well as Ireland's membership of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

I presume that what is sought from the review is a policy that will ensure Ireland inserts even greater influence on the world stage, particularly where it can make a contribution to peace, that is, in the troubled parts of the world. I remind Deputy Eric Byrne the reason so many Ministers are involved in trade is that the Action Plan for Jobs specifically places an onus on all Departments to make a contribution towards economic recovery and towards the efforts at job creation.

I am certainly pleased to see so many of the Ministers are involved in promoting the country and our companies throughout the world.

I very much share the Tánaiste's positive view of the contribution the embassies make to trade throughout the world. I welcome his intention to look at the missions to see where he can possible improve, and maybe open some new missions.

Senator Norris made a strong case for reopening the embassy to the Holy See. Generally, the people would like to see us seriously consider that. Traditionally, there have been strong links and the performance of the new pontiff, to which Senator Norris referred, should put pressure on us to look at that again.

There are several successful embassies and missions throughout the world, but I have one question for the Tánaiste. Is he satisfied that there are sufficient resources in all of them to promote the level of trade that we would like to see? I got an indication recently that the staff are stretched in many of the embassies throughout the world. I am aware the Government wants to increase the number of missions, but are the ones in place adequately resourced? We are heading in the right direction. I assume that the committee and Members of the Oireachtas will have sufficient opportunities to contribute to this review process in the coming months.