Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of Ireland's embassy buildings and ambassadorial residences owned by the State; the number which are rented; the annual rent payable, where applicable; the value of all such properties in the ownership of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3909/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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At present, thirty-three Mission properties abroad, including Chanceries and official Residences, are owned by the State. The estimated valuation of all these properties comes to €123,791,000. On the other hand, ninety-nine of our Mission properties abroad are leased. The annual rents of these ninety-nine properties amount to €13,245,550.

It is the policy of my Department to purchase representational offices and official residences abroad where market conditions and value for money considerations favour purchase over rental. In 2006, the Department purchased four Mission properties abroad. This year's Estimates again include a capital allocation for such acquisitions and I look forward to progress in this area, something indeed which I have been encouraged to do on a number of occasions by the House's Foreign Affairs Committee.