Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

As outlined in my statement on Thursday last, it was with the greatest regret and reluctance that a decision had to be made to close Ireland's embassies to the Holy See and Iran and its representative office in Timor Leste. This decision is in line with the tough choices that the Government must make to address the current economic challenges that face the country. Our targets under the EU-IMF programme mean that cuts to public expenditure must be made across a wide range of public services, including our diplomatic service. The decision to close the three missions followed a thorough review of the overseas diplomatic network in which particular attention was paid to the promotion of Irish economic interests and the economic return from missions abroad.

The Iranian ambassador and the chargé d'affaires at the Papal Nunciature were informed of the decision shortly before it was announced on Thursday last. Our ambassador in Tehran and our chargé d'affaires to the Holy See subsequently called to the respective Foreign Ministries. Our representative in Dili conveyed the news to the Foreign Ministry there. The information was received with understandable disappointment, although there was recognition of the severe budgetary pressures Ireland faces and the difficult decisions that have to be made.

Diplomatic relations will be maintained with the three states in question. I assure the Deputy that we intend to continue our active engagement with the Holy See, Iran and Timor Leste. The Government believes that our relations can be sufficiently dealt with by representation on a non-resident basis. Arrangements are being made to accredit a senior Dublin-based diplomat as ambassador to the Holy See and to accredit an ambassador in the region as ambassador to Iran. Our ambassador to Singapore will continue to be accredited as non-resident ambassador to Timor Leste.

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