Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

171. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Question No. 113 of 7 May 2013, if the review of the Irish network on Honorary Consuls worldwide has concluded in view of the fact that he said the review would be completed by mid-2013; if he will outline the main points of the review; the date on which he intends to publish the review; if the review will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35459/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I expect my Department's review of Ireland's Honorary Consul Service to be completed in the coming months. I will take a decision on the distribution of the report when I have had the opportunity to read it.

Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

172. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 66 of 29 May 2013 and 121 on 11 June 2013, if he will confirm the exact number of Corps Diplomatique or CD sign usage on Irish car registration plates; the number of CD signs that are allocated to each diplomatic mission here and if he will outline such in tabular form; if a central register is kept in his Department or that of the Revenue Commissioners to enable members of An Garda Síochána to verify particular vehicles using CD signs on vehicles; if he will detail the privileges that CD signs grant drivers of vehicles on Irish roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35460/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As outlined in my replies of 29 May 2013 and 11 June 2013, my Department is currently reviewing the practice prevailing in other European countries covering CD vehicle identification procedures and it is hoped that this review will be completed by the Autumn. There is at present no system for the issue of CD vehicle plates to members of the diplomatic corps. The privileges and immunities of accredited members of diplomatic missions are governed by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Acts 1967, which in turn give effect in Irish law to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961. The issue of CD vehicle plates is not provided for in the Vienna Convention, and their presence on a vehicle is not determinative of an entitlement to privileges and immunities, but rather is typically a visual indication that a vehicle is being used by a member of a diplomatic mission. Accordingly, the fact that there is currently no system for the issue of CD vehicle plates does not affect in any way the privileges and immunities to which the staff of a diplomatic mission are entitled. Upon being notified to my Department in accordance with Article 10 of the Vienna Convention, the members of diplomatic missions are issued with identity cards which may be produced to assist members of An Garda Síochana to verify their status under the Convention.