Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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268. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if, as part of his review of the embassy service, he will consider opening an embassy in Georgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23178/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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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 Georgia will continue to be fully sustained and promoted through the Irish Embassy in Bulgaria, where the Ambassador also holds a secondary accreditation to Georgia, and through our excellent cooperation with the Georgian Embassy in Ireland.