Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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171. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of additional embassy staff that have been hired since the Brexit referendum result of 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50955/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Brexit is undoubtedly one of the most significant challenges the country will face in the coming years in terms of the peace process and relationships within and between these islands. Protecting our economic interests in terms of trade and investment with the UK is a key priority for my Department, as well as the need to drive further diversification of our trade and investment flows globally. We have already augmented our diplomatic teams in Berlin, Paris, London and Brussels to manage the negotiation process and in part to support trade promotion efforts in the United Kingdom and the Eurozone. Those posts are detailed in the table.

My priority as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade will be to maintain, grow and diversify our share of international trade, employment and investment given the challenges of Brexit and a more competitive world. The recent decision to open six new diplomatic missions was informed by this objective. The benefits to the country in terms of expanded influence and the promotion of Ireland’s interests and values are expected to be considerable in the years ahead. New Embassies will open in Santiago, Chile; Bogotá, Colombia; Amman, Jordan; and Wellington, New Zealand; and new Consulates General in Vancouver, western Canada and Mumbai, India, on a phased basis from 2018. The expansion will be guided by my Department’s Statement of Strategy, which provides the overarching framework for our strategic objectives and operational targets. Our expanded network will enhance Ireland’s visibility globally, extend our influence and position us for trade and investment growth in new and existing markets. It will also benefit travelling citizens and engagement with the Diaspora.

In addition to the posts listed above, Embassy London has also been augmented in response to an increased demand for passports and foreign birth registrations, and some 10 additional local staff were hired in other missions overseas.

The measures my Department have put in place to manage our response to the UK decision to leave the EU remain under review as the negotiations on the UK’s exit from the EU intensify. I will ensure that the Department maintains the ability and agility to respond to new opportunities for Irish citizens and businesses.