Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

326. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he plans to open a new Irish consulate general office in Cardiff, Wales; the cost of doing this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18400/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

At present, Ireland’s diplomatic network includes 61 Embassies, 7 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. A range of factors are taken into account in considering our diplomatic representation overseas, including our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources. However, current resource constraints do not allow us to have resident representation in all the locations that might objectively justify it having regard to political, economic and trade factors.

Ireland’s bilateral relationship with Wales will continue to be fully sustained and promoted through Ireland’s Embassy of in London, who have prioritised this objective. Work on Ireland’s relations with Wales and the Welsh Government will also be carried out in Dublin, including with the Welsh Government representative at the British Embassy. As there are no immediate plans under consideration for the opening of a Consulate General in Cardiff, the cost of doing so does not arise.