Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 142: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which it is expected or intended to establish further embassies abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21989/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Ireland has a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular Missions abroad, as well as the British-Irish Inter-Governmental 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, as I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, only be undertaken having regard to clear national priorities and available resources. The significant budgetary pressures currently being faced by my Department, as for all Government Departments, means that any decision to open a new Mission overseas must be on the basis of an anticipated significant return for the State.

The United Arab Emirates was identified as a country where increased diplomatic representation would offer significant potential economic value to Ireland. Accordingly, and in order to take advantage of this potential, the Government decided to establish an Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which will open in the Autumn.

The Strategic Review of US-Ireland Relations was launched by the Taoiseach in March of this year. The Review recommended the opening of a Consulate General of Ireland in Atlanta. The implementation of this recommendation is currently under consideration.

The most recent Embassy to be established was in Malawi in October 2007. The Government decided to establish an Embassy there, after the White Paper on Irish Aid, published in September 2006, designated Malawi as Ireland's ninth programme country.

In the Government's "Smart Economy" document, published at the end of 2008, my Department committed to reviewing its network of missions abroad in order to ensure that they are operating at an optimum level of efficiency, are delivering tangible services and outcomes for the benefit of Ireland and its citizens, and that resources are aligned with our strategic objectives.