John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 87: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the proposed changes to Irish diplomatic representation across the globe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13479/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In December 2004, the Government approved the opening of resident missions in Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Vietnam. It is intended that these new missions will be opened in the second half of this year. The opening of new Irish missions is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. As the Deputy will appreciate, however, constraints on Government expenditure and the limits on the resources that can be made available require that the expansion of our diplomatic network must be incremental and be based on a thorough assessment of the costs and benefits involved.