John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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399. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of each Irish embassy overseas in each of the years 2002 to 2007, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3249/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Due to the time frame covered by this PQ and the fact that the accounting records are archived it has not been possible to extract the information requested. Since 2008 the cost of running the international mission network has been decreased from €96.7m to €77.9m in 2013 amounting to a saving of €18.8M or 19.4%.

Summary Mission Costs 2008 – 2013

In addition cost of running the mission network fell to €73.6m in 2014, a further reduction of over €4.3m in 2014.

The work of our missions around the world continues to be important in Ireland’s economic recovery and the restoration of our international reputation. Our embassies’ work in support of Ireland’s interests include:

- Promoting Ireland as a source of high-quality exports, a destination for investment, research, study and tourism to targeted audiences and contacts;

- Supporting trade missions and other trade-focussed high-level visits, record numbers of which have taken place in the last four years;

- Directly assisting Irish companies with advice, introductions and working to resolve regulatory or market access issues, in partnership with Enterprise Ireland;

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

- Influencing and negotiating for Ireland on issues that could impact our interests and priorities.