Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Irish Embassies in place in South America; if an expansion of the network is planned. [19578/06]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 158: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when it is proposed to establish an Embassy in Chile as understood at the time of the visit of the former President of Chile, Mr Ricardo Lagos. [19707/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 158 together. There are currently two Irish Embassies in South America — in Argentina and Brazil. Our Embassy in Argentina is also accredited to Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay on a non-resident basis. In addition, the Irish Embassy in Mexico is accredited to a number of countries in South and Central America on a non-resident basis — Colombia, El Salvador, Peru and Venezuela.

The Government has appointed Honorary Consuls in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. In Central America, we maintain Honorary Consuls in El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama.

Ireland has a small diplomatic service and accordingly, as I believe the Deputies 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, including in Chile, is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis