Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 9: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will open an embassy in Indonesia which will have both an aid and trade function as initiated by his predecessor. [13917/11]

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 38: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will open any new embassies or consulates this year. [13916/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 9 and 38 together. Decisions relating to the size and scale of the Irish diplomatic network are matters for consideration by the Government. The scale and presence of the Irish diplomatic network is being considered, along with all aspects of my Department's operations, as part of the Government's comprehensive review of expenditure. Given the current budgetary situation and recognising the role that our diplomatic network is playing in Ireland's economic recovery, adjustments to our diplomatic network will continue to be strategically focused. In short, all our missions abroad must continue to deliver benefits for Ireland and must do so in a manner that represents good value for money.

I assure the Deputies that my objective is to optimise the capability of Ireland's diplomatic network overseas to promote our key objectives abroad, especially support for our economic recovery. This is a key priority for me and one that I stressed yesterday when I addressed the conference of ambassadors being held in my Department. Any expansion of our diplomatic network can, only be undertaken against this background, as I am sure the Deputies will appreciate. At the same time, any proposals to reduce the network must be considered in the same light and balance any potential financial savings that could be achieved against the operational and reputational costs that would be incurred, including writing off investments made over years in the bilateral relationships with the countries in question. At a time when we need as much international support as possible, it is important to get these decisions right.

Ireland has actively developed diplomatic relations with Indonesia since their establishment in 1984. Our diplomatic relations are maintained on a non-resident basis through our embassy in Singapore and through our Irish Honorary Consul based in Jakarta. While Indonesia may not be a priority country under the Government's strategy for trade, tourism and investment to 2015, Irish companies, supported by the embassy and State agencies in Singapore, have been meeting with some business success in areas such as telecommunications, software and education services. Resources are not available at present to establish a resident embassy in Indonesia but the embassy and State agencies in Singapore will continue to support actively Irish companies wishing to do business with and in Indonesia.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I regret the Tánaiste's response on this matter because I am aware some considerable work had been done by his predecessor in advancing the idea of developing an embassy in Indonesia. I raised the matter in the context of the Asia strategy which, as he is aware, was brought forward in 1999 and has proved particularly effective in building business and political contacts for us in the Asia-Pacific region.

If I am correct, the second phase of that Asia strategy, which was from 2005 to 2009, succeeded in driving up Irish exports to the region to approximately €11 billion, more than €2 million ahead of target. It would seem that this is one of those locations where it is very much in the national interest that we would do some work and try to establish an embassy in Indonesia. There is also an aid aspect to our possible involvement in Indonesia.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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In normal circumstances and if we had the resources, I believe we would be establishing a resident embassy in Indonesia but we are working in the current circumstances within very severe financial constraints and we have to make the most of what we have. We are in any event examining our total diplomatic and embassy network in the context of the comprehensive spending review. We may make decisions arising from that. The position in Indonesia and our interests in Indonesia are catered for from Singapore. I do not propose to change that in the short term but it is something I will keep under review.