Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the Irish Embassy to the Vatican closed; his plans to reopen it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1270/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The decision to close Ireland's Embassy to the Holy See, along with the Embassy to Tehran and the Irish Aid Office in Dili, was made following a comprehensive review of the Mission network and against a background of the need by my Department to reduce its expenditure in the current difficult economic climate that we face. While there are no plans to reopen the resident Mission, this does not mean an end to diplomatic relations with the Vatican. The Government has nominated the Secretary General of my Department, Mr. David Cooney, as our Ambassador to the Holy See. Agreement to this nomination by the Vatican was recently received and the Secretary General will travel to Rome to present his credentials in due course in accordance with normal protocols.

For our part, the Government has acted quickly to agree to the nomination of Monsignor Charles J. Brown as Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland. I would like to congratulate Monsignor Brown on his consecration as Archbishop on Friday last and look forward to working with the Archbishop both in his position as Nuncio and as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps as soon as he has presented his credentials to President Higgins.

I look forward to a continued dialogue with the Holy See on issues of mutual interest, including global issues such as development, human rights and disarmament, and issues with a particular Irish dimension.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 52: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish Embassies that are in operation; the location of same; the cost of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1271/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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In 2011, Ireland had 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. Our Missions abroad are involved in 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 managing programmes, particularly in Irish Aid priority countries.

The budget of each Mission in 2011 is provided in the table below. These budgets are considered to be the locally-devolved administrative (day-to-day) budget including local staff salaries but not salaries of diplomatic staff, which are a charge on the Headquarters budget. Likewise, my Department's small capital budget is not allocated to missions on an ongoing basis but is managed from Headquarters.

A number of Missions manage significant programmes on behalf of Irish Aid, funded from Vote 29, which reflect the additional management and oversight required for the effective implementation of those important programmes. These costs are shown separately in the tables below.

Administrative Budgets for Missions under Vote 28 (Foreign Affairs)

Administrative budget of Embassies from Vote 29 (Irish Aid)

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 53: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the Irish Embassy to Iran was closed; his plans to reopen same; the balance of trade between Ireland and Iran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1272/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The decision to close the Irish Embassy to Iran, along with the Embassy to the Holy See and the Irish Aid Office in Dili, was made following a comprehensive review of the Mission network and against a background of the need by my Department to reduce its expenditure in the current difficult economic climate that we face. While the decision was met with disappointment by the Iranian authorities, they have expressed understanding of the very difficult decision the Government has had to take. They have also expressed the hope that the efforts to continue other areas of bilateral contact and cooperation, including political and cultural work, will continue, notwithstanding the closure of our Embassy in Tehran. I fully support this intention.

Despite our serious differences on issues such as human rights and the nuclear issue, Ireland has always emphasised the importance of dialogue and will continue to maintain communication with the Iranian authorities on a range of issues. While there are no plans at this stage to appoint a resident Ambassador based in Tehran, this does not mean an end to diplomatic relations with Iran. The Government plans to maintain diplomatic relations with Iran through the appointment of non-resident Ambassador, based in the region.

In 2010, Iran was Ireland's 55th largest merchandise trading partner, with merchandise trade worth €86.8 million. Irish exports were valued at €81.6m and imports were valued at €5.2m.

Irelands' principal merchandise exports to Iran include: General industrial machinery, equipment and parts; medical and pharmaceutical products; miscellaneous edible products and preparations. Our principal merchandise imports are fertilisers.

Figures for trade in services with Iran are unavailable from the CSO.

The Government will keep our network of diplomatic missions under review to ensure that it continues to serve Ireland's needs efficiently and effectively and that the available resources are deployed to best advantage.