Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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348. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to examine the possibility of reopening the Irish embassy to the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tehran; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3090/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul.

The configuration of the State’s diplomatic and consular network is kept under ongoing review by the Government. A range of factors are taken into account in considering our diplomatic representation overseas. These include our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources.

The Government is of course conscious of the political, economic and trade factors that might warrant the opening of resident diplomatic missions in Iran and elsewhere, and this is taken fully into account in the ongoing review of Ireland’s diplomatic and consular network.