Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On 5 March, the Government approved the opening of five new missions. This is the latest step in the expansion of the State’s diplomatic and consular network. The new missions are embassies in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Chisinau and consulates general in Malága and Melbourne. This expansion is being undertaken within the context of the Global Ireland programme, which aims to see Ireland’s global footprint and influence double in the period to 2025. These five new missions will bring to 27 the number of missions opened or announced under Global Ireland. We will also continue to work at strengthening and deepening our resources in strategic locations. For example, it is intended, in this regard to assign an additional diplomatic officer to the embassy in Cairo to work exclusively on our key relationship with Lebanon.

The mission openings announced on Tuesday reflect a number of key priorities, including the importance of the enlargement agenda during our Presidency of the EU in 2026, the consular needs of our citizens overseas and opportunities for trade promotion and diaspora engagement. I warmly welcome the decision to open a consulate general in Melbourne, which in addition to being an important commercial centre, is home to a large and thriving Irish community. A presence on the ground will assist the Government to deepen our engagement here, build political relationships, support Irish business and engage with Irish citizens and the vibrant Irish diaspora. This decision underlines the importance the Government attaches to strengthening our relationship with Australia as a whole building on the important work of the embassy in Canberra, the consulate general in Sydney and the offices of the State agencies. A new embassy in Islamabad and consulates general in Milan and Munich are expected to open later this year.

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