Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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466. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to re-open the Irish office in Taipei, Taiwan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46816/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland, like all EU Member States and the EU itself, adheres to the One China policy and does not recognise Taiwan as a State. As a result, Ireland does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but does engage with Taiwan on an economic and cultural basis. Ireland enjoys a strong trading relationship with Taiwan. According to the Central Statistics Office, total bilateral trade between Ireland and Taiwan exceeded €1 billion in 2016. The scale and configuration of the State’s mission network in promoting Ireland’s interests and values in a fast-changing world is under continual review by my Department and by the Government. The ambition set by the Taoiseach to double our global footprint by 2025 responds to the scale and complexity of challenges that we face as a country in the years ahead. Following the Taoiseach’s announcement, my Department has begun to examine options to expand our footprint and influence internationally in consultation with other Departments and agencies.

Enterprise Ireland services Taiwan from its office in Hong Kong while IDA’s ASEAN office in Singapore currently covers Taiwan with regard to the potential for inward Foreign Direct Investment. Taking all factors into account, including market intelligence, our current footprint in Taiwan is deemed appropriate.