Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Senator's interest in this topic. To ensure that our diplomatic team is of the highest quality and representative of the people of Ireland, the Department works closely with the PAS to ensure a robust and fair recruitment process for diplomatic grades. In the last year, the PAS has administered open competitions to the grades of counsellor, first secretary and third secretary. Further recruitment to the diplomatic service is expected later this year. All competitions are advertised on the PAS website and via social media. Officers who have been recruited through the open recruitment competition represent Ireland abroad including as ambassadors.

I accept the Senator's point that we should look at having greater diversity. Knowing how tenacious he is, I have no doubt that this will not be the last time we will hear this issue being raised in the Seanad.