Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of diplomatic staff currently employed, by staff grade level, in the Irish embassies of Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Cairo; the standard of language proficiency required of staff posted to embassies where the native spoken language is not their own first language; the number of staff that have this level of proficiency in Arabic in the embassies of Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Cairo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8918/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Details of the numbers of diplomatic staff, by grade, assigned to the Embassies in Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Cairo are set out in the table. Foreign language proficiency is one of the attributes that are taken into consideration by my Department when selecting officers for posting abroad. Officers wishing to be considered for posting are required to submit up-to-date language skills audits with their applications. The Department's Training Unit assists and facilitates staff in improving their foreign language proficiency levels both prior to and during foreign assignments.

The three Embassies referred to by the Deputy employ Arabic-speaking local staff who translate and interpret for diplomatic staff as and when required, as well as providing consular, visa and other services in English and in the local language.