Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 601: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has the authority to appoint an ambassador to other countries where the appointee has not been a member of the diplomatic service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2273/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Ambassadorial appointments are made by the President on the advice of the Government.

The consistent and long-standing practice which has served successive Governments very well, is to appoint serving senior Civil Servants with significant experience of international relations to Ambassadorial positions.