Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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159. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland has a permanent office in Brussels to handle engagements with NATO's partnership for peace programme; and the cost of running this office in 2015. [12413/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has been a member of the Partnership for Peace since 1999. Our engagement with the programme is carried out via a Liaison Office in Brussels.

Ireland’s participation in the Partnership aims to ensure that our Defence Forces have the necessary capabilities to continue to partner effectively and securely with other nations in UN-mandated peacekeeping operations.

The cost of running the Liaison Office in 2015 was €419,767. This figure includes staff costs, office costs, building rental and maintenance and other overheads.