Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the fact that the Ukraine has opened an Embassy here he will reciprocate by opening a fully accredited Irish Embassy in the Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22072/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad, as well as the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat in Belfast and the North-South Ministerial Council Joint Secretariat in Armagh. While the opening of new Embassies abroad is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis, any expansion of our diplomatic network can only be undertaken having regard to clear priorities and available resources.

The current position vis-À-vis the Ukraine is that our Ambassador to the Czech Republic is also accredited as Ambassador to the Ukraine on a non-resident basis. In addition, Ireland's Honorary Consul in Kiev, Mr Volodymyr Say, continues to provide a satisfactory service. There are no plans at present to change this arrangement.