Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number and location of Irish embassies, permanent trade or other delegations throughout the world; the ratio of costs to diplomatic trade or other traffic measured on an annual basis; the savings likely and accruable to the State in the context of any economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33724/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Ireland has 58 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions and 11 Consulates General and other offices overseas. In addition to their country of primary accreditation, many Ambassadors are also accredited to additional countries on a non-resident basis. Ireland's missions abroad perform a wide range of functions in pursuit of Ireland's foreign policy interests. These include representing and advancing government policies with other States and in international organisations, in particular the EU and the UN; economic and cultural promotion; frontline consular and passport services to Irish citizens overseas; engaging with Irish communities and harnessing the resource they offer in assisting economic recovery; and programme management, particularly in Irish Aid priority countries. It will be noted, for example, that missions to international organisations have no direct trade promotional function.

The influence that a diplomatic mission can bring on trade volumes is just one of many factors that determine the overall level of business being conducted. Our diplomatic missions have particular strengths in relation to facilitating access to key economic and business decision-makers; ensuring, in cooperation with the relevant State Agencies, that a cohesive message about the fundamentals of the Irish economy is conveyed to major opinion-formers internationally; targeted promotion and, in some locations, in dealing with regulatory issues.

Since assuming office, I have directed that all embassies and consulates should redouble their efforts in promoting trade, in supporting Irish business and in seeking out new markets. Ireland's network of Embassies and Consulates is also playing a frontline role in the drive to restore Ireland's international reputation.

The Embassy network works very closely with the State Agencies with a remit for the promotion of Irish trade, tourism and inward investment - Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland and IDA Ireland - and other relevant Departments in assisting Irish producers to find and access new markets. Where possible, overseas offices of State Agencies are co-located with Irish Embassies and Consulates on the ground in an 'Ireland House' arrangement.

Local market teams, chaired by the local Ambassador and including representatives of State Agencies, have been established in all of the priority markets under the Trading and Investing in a Smart Economy Strategy. These teams prepare annual market development plans and report to the Export Trade Council which I chair.

Below is a table listing all Irish Missions abroad, their operating budgets and the level of merchandise trade in 2010 in countries where Ireland has resident representation. However, the variety of functions performed by diplomatic missions and the range of factors that affect trade volumes make it very difficult to establish any meaningful correlation between diplomatic costs and trade volumes. The budgets of missions that manage significant programmes on behalf of Irish Aid (Vote 29) reflect the additional management and oversight required for the effective implementation of those important programmes.

*Trade figures for the Holy See are included in the trade figures for Italy