Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 17: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he proposes to expand Ireland's diplomatic presence in South America. [43138/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently two Irish Embassies in South America – in Argentina and Brazil. The Embassy in Buenos Aires is accredited to Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay on a non-resident basis. The Irish Embassy in Mexico is also accredited to a number of other countries in South and Central America, namely Colombia, El Salvador, Peru and Venezuela. The diplomatic network is supported by Honorary Consuls in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. Our diplomatic missions work in close cooperation with the State Agencies on an ongoing basis to identify new trade and investment opportunities for Irish companies in the region, particularly in high growth and emerging markets. Ireland exported goods and services to the value of €1bn to South America last year.

Ireland has worked as a development partner in South America for over thirty years. Since 2007, Irish Aid allocated over €7.3m to NGOs active in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru.

The importance Ireland attaches to relations with countries in South America is also symbolised by the cultural programmes put in place to mark the bicentenary celebrations of the independence of Argentina and Chile this year, including the recent Naval Service visit to both countries.

The size and scale of our diplomatic network is kept under review by the Government on an ongoing basis in the light of national priorities and available resources. As always, any decision to open a new Mission must be based on a clear anticipated significant return for the State. This is all the more important in the context of the current budgetary pressures to which all Departments, including my own, are subject.