Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when an Irish Ambassador will be appointed and take up residence in Chile. [39525/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland established formal diplomatic relations with Chile in 1992 and since then our Ambassador to Argentina has been accredited there on a non-resident basis. The Government has also appointed an Honorary Consul, who is based in Santiago.

As I believe the Deputy will appreciate, any expansion of our diplomatic network must be approached on a phased basis, having regard to clear priorities and available resources. In this regard, and while the opening of new Missions is reviewed by the Government on an ongoing basis, there are no plans to establish a resident Embassy in Chile at this time.