Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The safety and security of our staff and their families is a fundamental priority of my Department. My Department promotes best practice in managing the security of our people, material assets and premises through workplace security design, review, awareness-raising and training in consultation with the State’s security experts.

Ireland has 90 missions abroad, some of which are located in states where there is a moderate to high level of personal security threat. The host state is under a special duty under international law to protect the premises of diplomatic missions. Like other foreign ministries, we supplement those protections with private security services according to our local risk assessments and in accordance with procurement rules. In 2020, my Department invested €1.16 million on security services at our diplomatic missions abroad which operate in such environments.

Staff of my Department may need to travel to locations with high risks to personal security, often in countries where Ireland does not have a permanent mission. Such travel will only be authorised after it has been risk assessed and appropriate mitigations are in place, including armoured and armed protection where necessary. For such travel, security is usually provided by the host state, a hosting mission, the EU delegation or a host international organisation, such as the UN or OSCE. Where the host does not provide close protection, my Department may choose to avail of the services of a vetted local private security provider familiar with the local threat environment on a case-by-case basis.

My Department enjoys a close working relationship with the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána on security matters. We have called on the assistance of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána under the emergency civil assistance team initiative for mission security-related projects. We look forward to deepening our relationships in the years ahead as we continue to assure the security of our people.

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