Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

With other members I welcome the Tánaiste's announcement on the eight new embassies and consulates. He spoke about creating new influential trading relationships in emerging markets in South America, Africa and Asia but at the same time we are also involved in an ongoing review of foreign policy. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is requesting submissions from the public and civil society yet the Tánaiste made this announcement before the deadline at the start of next month. Will he not agree that this shows the Department is deciding its own policy and not taking on board the ideas and suggestions in the many submissions being received? A number of people telephoned me to say it is crazy that the Tánaiste made this announcement when we are in the middle of a review. I accept that embassies are a key part of foreign affairs but the argument could be made that the Tánaiste should have waited another two or three weeks if he was sincere about this overall review.

I am also disappointed about the decision regarding the embassy in Tehran. I regard it as an omission. There is no debate regarding the benefit of opening an embassy in these areas. That would be helpful as part of the overall discussion of the review. The fact that it is done and dusted is a missed opportunity if the Tánaiste is sincere about involving individuals, groups and parties in that regard.