Written answers

Wednesday, 24 February 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Diplomatic Representation

9:00 am

Photo of Lucinda CreightonLucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the last time he reviewed the embassy network with a view to decreasing the footprint in non-strategic countries, for example, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and so on and covering some regions with one or two embassies, for example, nordics, central and eastern Europe, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and so on. [9503/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The size and scale of our diplomatic network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any decision to open a new Mission overseas is undertaken having regard to clear national priorities and available resources, and must be on the basis of an anticipated and ongoing significant return for the State. Decisions regarding Embassy closures must take full account of the operational and reputational costs as well as any potential financial savings. An internal review of our Mission network was undertaken in 2009 and this matter will be revisited on a regular basis.

Given the current budgetary situation, and recognising the role that our diplomatic network can play in Ireland's economic recovery, adjustments to our diplomatic network continue to be strategically focused. For example, the United Arab Emirates was identified as a country where increased diplomatic representation would offer significant potential economic value to Ireland, and accordingly, the Government decided to establish an Embassy in Abu Dhabi last year. Similarly, the decision to close the Consulate General in Cardiff was taken last year to enable a redeployment of limited resources to maximise potential returns to the State. In more distant locations this practice is already in place, with for example our Embassy in Buenos Aires also having responsibility for Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, and our Embassy in Moscow also having responsibility for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan.

Further, in light of the current budgetary constraints, and the need to optimise available resources, I have decided, on a trial basis, to make structural changes with regard to some of our embassies in the European Union and 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 back-up from Dublin and other missions in the region. 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. I can assure the Deputy that my objective, to the greatest extent possible and within the limits of available resources, is to maintain the capability of Ireland's diplomatic network overseas in order to promote our key objectives abroad, particularly support for our economic recovery.

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