Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Independent)
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109. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider appointing a number of non-diplomatic corps personnel to ambassador positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37609/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The practice of successive Governments has been to nominate Ambassadors who are established civil servants. Generally, Irish diplomats, including Heads of Mission, are career civil servants employed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The State has in my view been very well served by the current system, which draws on the skills, experience and professionalism of dedicated career civil servants. Ireland’s diplomatic service is highly respected internationally. The Department invests considerably in preparing officials to promote Irish interests abroad including our economic, business and investment interests. Officers about to take up foreign posts attend special training, and, when abroad, liaise closely with State agencies and business representatives. I frequently receive expressions of appreciation for their efforts.

Careful consideration would need to be given before departing from long-standing arrangements which have served the State well for many years and have operated on the basis of proven professional capability and political impartiality.