Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Diplomatic relations with the State of Kuwait are conducted through Ireland's Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which opened in October 2009. Previously, all of Ireland's diplomatic relations with the Gulf States was conducted via the Embassy in Riyadh. The Ambassador in Abu Dhabi presented his credentials to H.H. Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Emir of the State of Kuwait, in April 2010.

The opening of the new Embassy has increased the State's diplomatic representation in the region and makes it possible for Ireland to do more in Kuwait, and in other locations across the Gulf.

While there are no current plans to upgrade Ireland's representation in Kuwait, some progress has been made in a number of specific areas.

In late 2010, a Double Taxation Agreement was signed between Ireland and Kuwait. It is hoped that this can enter into force in the near future.

In addition, Kuwait is one of the countries included in the pilot visa programme operated by the Department of Justice and Law Reform which will run until October 2012. The Programme was announced by the Government in July 2011 as part of its Jobs Initiative with a view to promoting tourism from emerging markets. This means that Kuwaiti nationals, holding a visa for the UK, may visit Ireland from the UK for business or tourism purposes, without obtaining an Irish visa. It is hoped that this will increase the number of visitors from Kuwait into Ireland.

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 65: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish staff employed in the Irish embassies in London, Brussels, Washington DC and Warsaw by grade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35085/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table insofar as staff assigned from Headquarters is concerned. While many of the staff locally employed by Irish Missions are Irish or would be entitled to claim Irish citizenship, the Department does not maintain records on that basis.

*Vacancy