Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Independent)
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447. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of meetings of heads of mission that have taken place in the past ten years; when the next heads of mission meeting is scheduled for; its strategic goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43230/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Since 2004, the Department has organised two formal Heads of Mission conferences, one in 2009 and the other in 2011. The next Heads of Mission conference will take place in Dublin from 12 – 14 January 2015. While the programme for the conference has yet to be fully finalised, the conference will provide an opportunity to coordinate the work of Ireland’s diplomatic network in advancing key Government priorities and in providing a first-rate service to Irish citizens and businesses. The Deputy will also wish to note that officials at Headquarters regularly meet with Heads of Mission on an individual and regional basis to discuss issues and to set strategic priorities for their respective missions.