Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

In announcing his decision to shut the Irish Embassy in the Vatican the Tánaiste cited economic reasons because of the economic challenges. In other words, our embassies and overseas missions must pay their way. In this context and given that the appointment of ambassadors has always been the preserve of the public service and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is it time to reflect on a suggestion made repeatedly in both Houses in the past ten or 20 years? I refer to the suggestion that some of those holding ambassadorial roles need not necessarily come from the Civil Service stream. Instead, they could be former business people or politicians who could make excellent trade ambassadors. Ireland is unique in having ambassadorial appointments entirely as the preserve of what I call a certain elitist class. Should consideration be given to appointing people from outside the Civil Service, with experience in business, commerce and politics, to serve in some of the key overseas posts?