Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

My Department maintains a network of 75 overseas missions - 57 embassies, seven multilateral missions and 11 consulates general and other offices. It also maintains offices in Armagh and Belfast. Heads of mission carry different titles, including ambassador, permanent representative and consul general. There are currently 61 officials with the rank of ambassador, including a number serving as permanent representatives to international organisations.

Ireland's diplomatic missions and consular offices are dedicated to the pursuit of our interests abroad and to enhancing our international profile. They are the external offices of the State, promoting Government policies and participating in the work of international organisations.

Diplomatic and consular missions perform a range of representational, promotional and reporting functions, including deepening Ireland's relations with host governments and advancing our international priorities and objectives; advancing Ireland's economic interests through working with others in the public and private sectors to expand trade and tourism, and inward investment in Ireland; reporting on political, economic, legal, commercial and EU developments; overseeing the implementation of programmes in developing countries funded by the Government's development aid programme, Irish Aid; and providing assistance to Irish citizens abroad and maintaining contact with local Irish communities.

Missions accredited to multilateral organisations such as the United Nations present Ireland's views in negotiations and debate within these organisations. The role of the permanent representation to the EU in Brussels is to represent the State in its interface with the EU institutions and in negotiations at official level in the Council of Ministers. It also advises on negotiations at political level in the Council of Ministers and at the European Council.

The State has been very well served by the current system, which draws on the skills and professionalism of dedicated career civil servants. Successive Governments have acknowledged the wealth of experience offered by our diplomatic officers and the contribution they have made in the promotion of Ireland's interests and values at international level.

In the current challenging environment, it is all the more important that the State's diplomatic resources are used to the optimum effect, particularly to support the Government's efforts to achieve economic recovery. This is a major priority for the Department of Foreign Affairs and its heads of mission abroad.

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