Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 5 November 2024
Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence
Estimates for Public Services 2024
Vote 28 - Foreign Affairs (Supplementary)
3:35 pm
Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent)
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The Passport Office is probably more external and outward-focusing. It is good we are investing in the Passport Office. It is not an expense. Sometimes it is perceived as an expense; it is actually an investment. We have to maintain the integrity of the Irish passport system.
Second, regarding the embassies and the Irish houses abroad, again sometimes it is presented as an expense if we are spending €12 million, but really it is an investment. If you are buying real estate in capital cities all around the world, that is certainly a long-term investment for Ireland Inc. and that is to be welcomed.
From the North-South dimension, the A3 is very positive as well. I welcome the professorship in Cambridge University as well. That is good. I have one small question. I am not sure how familiar the Tánaiste is with the Mitchell scholarship programme.