Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government have plans for the establishment of an embassy in Thailand in view of the number of Irish citizens living and visiting the country. [22973/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The opening of further resident diplomatic missions abroad, including in Thailand, is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. However, any expansion of our overseas network can only be undertaken on the basis of clear priorities. The current position is that our Ambassador to Malaysia is also accredited to Thailand on a non-resident basis, and there are no plans at present to change this arrangement. Ireland's Honorary Consul in Bangkok, Mr Gary Biesty, continues to provide an excellent service to our citizens who live in or visit Thailand. In addition, following a review of our representation after the Tsunami and as part of my commitment to strengthen the range of assistance we provide to Irish citizens in the region, I appointed Ms Helene Fallon-Wood as our first Honorary Consul in Phuket in February 2006. Her presence proved invaluable in assisting those Irish citizens involved in the recent plane crash on that island.