Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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8. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps taken in 2021 to enhance Ireland’s network of embassies, which included the opening of an embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. [3638/22]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister give details of the increasing network of Irish embassies and consulates opened throughout 2021, with particular reference to the embassy in Ukraine?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I officially opened Ireland's embassy in Kyiv on 23 August last year.

The opening of the embassy marked a new phase in our relationship with Ukraine, through which we can deepen and widen our bilateral co-operation. The embassy also provides consular assistance to Irish citizens and works closely with other EU member states in further developing the EU-Ukraine relationship.

The decision to open an embassy in Kyiv was taken as part of the Government's Global Ireland 2025 initiative. It is one of 14 missions that have been opened since the Global Ireland programme was launched in June 2018 and one of four opened in 2021, the others being Manchester, Rabat and Manila. Global Ireland aims to see Ireland’s global footprint and influence double in the period to 2025, including through an expanded and strengthened diplomatic presence. In addition, the Government decided in 2021 to open a further five new missions in Toronto, Lyon, Miami, Dakar and Tehran, which will bring to 19 the number of new missions opened as a key deliverable of the Global Ireland programme. Mission expansion has been complemented by the strengthening of existing and strategically important missions, including Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, New York UN, Tokyo and Beijing, including the assignment of additional staff from several Departments.

All missions, including the embassy in Kyiv, are located in regions where there are opportunities for Ireland to advance our national, political and economic priorities. Missions work as part of Team Ireland in co-operation with State agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, the IDA, and other Departments, to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and drive the development of trade, tourism, investment, science, technology and innovation, culture and education.

The expansion of the mission network is following the Ireland House model, where all Departments and agencies, where possible, work together in one building. In addition, building on the advances in digital diplomacy made during the pandemic, work on an integrated digital Ireland House continues as a the key platform to deliver on the Global Ireland ambition.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister. I have a few general questions on the approach to embassies and consuls but I want to ask some supplementary questions specifically on the new embassy in Kyiv. In light of current global events, that embassy is of particular interest to the House. Will the Minister outline the extent of the Irish diaspora in Kyiv? I appreciate that in recent days the Minister asked all Irish citizens to register with the embassy and to outline where they are based across the country. Will the Minister also expand on the economic potential this embassy presents? What are our key exports to and imports from Ukraine? What is the basis for our economic relationship and what risk assessment has been done on that relationship, based on current very worrying events in the region? Finally, what is the strength of the Irish diplomatic mission in Kyiv?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As I said earlier, as part of the Government's global strategy an embassy began operating in Kyiv last summer on 7 June. It was officially opened by me in August. The embassy's remit is to deepen bilateral relations with Ukraine, provide consular assistance to Irish citizens and work closely with other EU member states in further developing EU-Ukraine relations.

Ukraine is a strategically and economically important European country and a key partner for the EU under the eastern partnership. The opening of the embassy will allow Ireland to take advantage of the opportunities arising from Ukraine's closer economic integration with the EU under the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, DCFTA, agreement. Ukraine is on a firm growth trajectory, and a key objective for the embassy will be to contribute to increasing our bilateral trade and economic links with Ukraine. Trade with Ukraine has been growing rapidly in recent years. In 2020, exports of services to Ukraine amounted to €647 million, with imports amounting to €29 million. Exports of goods amounted to €71 million and imports amounted to €92.8 million. The Global Ireland strategy is very much driving what we are doing here in a new, strategic part of Europe.

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister elaborate on the work he is doing, in tandem with the Tánaiste, to develop those trading links? It is very important, in light of current events, that we continue to make the strong point that Ireland stands with Ukraine and that its sovereignty must be maintained. Ukraine is a key ally, not just of Ireland but of our partners in the EU. Should events unfold negatively in the coming days, the EU must not be slow to consider sanctions and other options. That said, it is essential to stress that Ireland continues to support negotiation and every move towards a diplomatic resolution to tensions in that region, although some would argue there are no tensions there.

The embassy in Kyiv and all of the other consulates and embassies the Minister has listed are vitally important and it is essential they are augmented in the coming years and that Ireland continues to grow this network. It is vitally important in so many areas.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Of course we cannot talk about Kyiv and Ukraine without referring to the current context, to what is happening in global politics and the concern and threat that exists. Our staff remain in Kyiv but we have contingency plans if people need to leave. We do not regard it as appropriate at this time to bring people home. We are committed to Ukraine. We support its sovereignty, its developing bilateral relationship with Ireland and, of course, its developing and positive relationship with the EU. Should Ukraine be invaded by Russia, the political and economic consequences would be enormous for the relationship between the EU and Russia and, of course, for Ukraine itself in terms of potential loss of life. This is, understandably, the subject of an enormous amount of public commentary, given the concern and tension that has built up in recent days. We will continue to advocate for a reduction in tension and a resolution through political dialogue, but through all of this, we will support Ukrainian sovereignty.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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We will go back to Question No. 7 now.