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

I repeat that there are many pathways into the Department of Foreign Affairs and into ambassadorial positions. For example, people who would have worked in the area of development aid initially have moved into the Department and brought that experience to bear as ambassadors in Africa, the Middle East and so forth. We have very good examples of that also within the Department. I have been struck by the fact that those applying to join the Department come from all backgrounds - engineering, education, you name it. We have a good system and a good service. I would be a strong defender of the system we have and I would critically analyse any potential changes that might look good on the surface but that could erode the strengths of our diplomatic service.

In terms of future plans, we should distinguish between envoys and ambassadors. Eamon Gilmore, for example, was a very effective European Union envoy in Colombia in the context of the peace process there. My immediate focus now is on the western Balkans. We recently announced a number of proposed ambassadorial appointments there.

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