Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 28 November 2023

Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence

Estimates for Public Services 2023
Vote 27 - International Co-operation (Supplementary)
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary)

Photo of Seán FlemingSeán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Yes. The renewals are outstanding. There are no plans to open other offices. People have asked for other areas to be considered as well but new offices are not required given that more than 90% of people are doing it online. Three years ago, the footfall was high but that has fallen away now. There are no immediate plans for a new office. We think the system has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years in terms of efficiency, so there are no plans at this stage to open an additional office in Belfast. The line for public representatives and MLAs to have direct access, similar to Oireachtas Members, is helping the situation.