Seán Kenny (Dublin North East, Labour)
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894. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to reopen the Irish Consulate General Office in Cardiff; the estimated cost of re-opening that office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21481/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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At present, Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 61 Embassies, seven multilateral missions, 11 Consulates General and one Representative office. The scale and presence of the network is considered by the Government on an ongoing basis. Any decision to adjust the State’s external representation, including the opening of missions, will have regard to national priorities and available financial and staffing resources. Ireland’s relationship with Wales continues to be developed bilaterally through the Embassy of Ireland in London, through the British Irish Council and through co-operation on EU programmes. Visits at official and political level take place on a regular basis, including visits to Wales by both President Higgins and the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, during the last nine months. Ireland will also host the next summit of the British Irish Council in Dublin later this month, when we will welcome the leadership of the Welsh Government along with other British Irish Council member administrations. There are no plans under immediate consideration for the re-opening of a Consulate General in Cardiff and so the question of the estimated cost of such a proposal does not at present arise.