John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will meet with his Swedish counterpart to request that his Government reconsiders their proposal to close their Swedish Embassy in Dublin. [13256/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As I informed the Dáil on 16th February, I made clear the Irish Government's deep regret at this decision to my Swedish counterpart, Mr. Carl Bildt, when he telephoned me to communicate the decision on the evening before the official announcement was made. I reiterated this regret and disappointment in a subsequent letter I wrote to Minister Bildt.

The Government recognises that each country makes its own assessment of how best to use resources in the current economic climate, but we are nevertheless disappointed that there appears to be no scope for maintaining a resident Swedish Embassy in Dublin. This is a view that we continue to put to our Swedish friends, through political and official channels, when the opportunity arises.