Written answers

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Departmental Expenditure

8:00 pm

Photo of John O'MahonyJohn O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 409: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to implement savings and efficiencies in running the Irish embassy and consular offices globally in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3295/10]

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

The Administrative Budget available to my Department in 2010 is some €10million less than in 2009. Some of the necessary savings will fall on headquarters activities but savings and efficiencies in running our embassies and consular offices will also be implemented in 2010. The details of the reductions are currently being worked through but there will be reductions in all areas of expenditure to take account of the reduced resources. As far as possible these will be achieved without affecting our service to the public. In addition to these general reductions, I have decided, on a trial basis, to make structural changes with regard to some of our embassies in the European Union. I intend to put in place in a number of capitals a lighter model of representation. Such missions will be staffed by a single Irish diplomat with appropriate local support and backup from Dublin and other missions in the region. They will generally operate from a more modest residence and without an official car. They will be explicitly tasked to prioritise our work on EU affairs and the promotion of our economic interests. There are particular challenges in implementing such a model. Irish embassies are already relatively small in comparison to many other countries and it remains to be seen if a one-person mission is entirely feasible. The performance of these lighter missions will be closely monitored in that regard to see if the desired outcomes can be achieved.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.