Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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207. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the announcement that Ireland will open five new diplomatic missions between 2018 and 2019; the timeframe for opening these new embassies and consulates; the estimated cost of each mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43737/17]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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208. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the €2 million allocated in budget 2018 to expanding Ireland's global footprint will be utilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43738/17]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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209. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the €3.5 million allocated in budget 2018 to the Article 50 negotiations will be utilised; if it will result in additional staff in his Department; the details of the way in which the money will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43739/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 to 209, inclusive, together.

The opening of three new embassies in Santiago, Chile, Bogotá, Colombia and Amman, Jordan and two new consulates general in Vancouver, Canada and Mumbai, India between 2018 and 2019 is an important first step in doubling Ireland’s global footprint by 2025 and building our capacity to respond to the complexity of the challenges we face in the years ahead.

This phase of the expansion will further support Ireland’s foreign trade and inward investment drive and help position Ireland for growth in new markets as well as enhance the promotion of our values and the protection of our citizens around the world. Decisions on the locations of the new missions were informed by the trade and investment strategy, “Ireland Connected” and consistent with forthcoming Asia-Pacific and Americas Strategies across government. The locations for the new missions were identified on the basis of likely impact.

Given the wide variety of local circumstances involved in establishing each new Mission and the need to consult with the host country Governments, it is not possible to provide further detail on the timetable for openings at this stage.

The estimated cost of each mission will depend on a range of factors including staffing and accommodation. The new missions will likely have from one to three staff from HQ with local support staff. The €2 million allocated in Budget 2018 will cover initial outlays incurred next year. My Department will also need to ensure that the vital services infrastructure and policy support capacity at headquarters is adequate. However, I anticipate that all necessary arrangements will be completed in a timely way.

Ireland will need to grow its presence in fast-growing emerging countries as well as deepen our market penetration in more developed markets and our diplomatic missions overseas will continue to be crucial in this. The priority of my Department, as across government and state agencies, will be to support the growth of Ireland’s share of international trade, employment and investment and the diversification of our markets where needed.

Brexit is undoubtedly one of the most significant challenges the country will face in the coming years. The Government has been clear that our priorities are to minimise the impact on our trade and economy; to protect the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the peace process; to maintain the Common Travel Area and to help shape the future direction of Europe. The resources allocated to the expansion of our mission network internationally are an important strand in helping to mitigate the risks posed by Brexit to our economy including through diversification of trade with emerging markets and foreign direct investment flows. At the same time, protecting our economic interests in terms of trade and investment with the UK will be a key priority.

Our objectives also need to be pursued through seeking the best possible outcome for Ireland from the ongoing EU-UK negotiations on the UK's withdrawal from the EU. To this end, the additional funding allocated in budget 2018 allocated to my Department for the Article 50 negotiations will support ongoing work by Ireland’s Brexit teams in Dublin, Brussels, Berlin, Paris and London and at Ireland’s missions across the EU, including through additional staff resources in due course. These increased resources will also help to ensure our strong influence on the debate underway on the future of Europe where we will be seeking to ensure that the EU continues to deliver for our citizens as we address the many challenges of growing threats to the rules-based trading order in a globalised world.