Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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486. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of the costs for the past three years for the top ten Irish embassies abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5625/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Our embassies’ work in support of Ireland’s foreign policy interests include:

- Promoting investment in Ireland and supporting Irish businesses to expand overseas;

- Providing frontline consular assistance and passport services to Irish citizens overseas;

- Promoting Ireland as a tourism destination and promoting Ireland’s culture abroad;

- Representing and advancing Ireland’s policies and interests;

- Engaging with and supporting Irish communities abroad; and

- Managing Ireland’s overseas development programmes.

My Department works closely with the State agencies, including Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Bord Bia and Tourism Ireland, to support trade missions, directly assist Irish companies with advice and introductions and work to resolve regulatory or market access issues.

Staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade promote Ireland as a destination for investment and lobby and negotiate for Ireland on issues that could impact our economic interests: whether that’s on trade policy, taxation issues or other crucial issues.

In responding to the severe economic and financial crisis which has affected Ireland in recent years, the Embassy network has played a particularly important role in repairing and enhancing our reputation and promoting economic recovery.

The table below shows the ten highest costs among Irish embassies for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014: