Written answers

Wednesday, 24 May 2006

Department of Foreign Affairs

Diplomatic Representation

9:00 pm

Photo of Paul GogartyPaul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 92: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has established diplomatic relations with the new Government in Iraq; his plans to establish an embassy in Baghdad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19742/06]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government approved the establishment of non-resident diplomatic relations with Iraq in 1979 and Ireland subsequently opened an Embassy in Baghdad in 1986.

In the crisis leading up to the 1991 Gulf War, the Embassy of Ireland was moved from Baghdad to Amman in Jordan, and subsequently closed in August 1992. The Iraqi Embassy in London, from where the Iraqi Ambassador was also accredited to Ireland, closed in February 1991.

Diplomatic relations between Ireland and Iraq were never broken off but effectively went into abeyance. Therefore, the question of formally establishing or re-establishing such relations with the new Iraqi Government did not arise. Following the reopening of the Iraqi Embassy in London in 2003, my Department dealt with it as representing the newly established Iraqi Government. Active relations were fully restored when Ambassador Salah Al-Shaikhly presented his credentials to President McAleese on 21 March 2006.

Ireland has a small diplomatic service and accordingly, as I believe the Deputy will appreciate, any expansion of our resident diplomatic network must be approached on a phased basis, having regard to clear priorities. The opening of further resident Missions abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.