Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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92. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the full year cost of running an embassy; the full year cost of running a consulate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14717/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As I indicated in my reply to the same question from the Deputy on 16 January, the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s embassy and consulate network around the world continues to be important to Ireland’s economic development and the enhancement of our international reputation. The total network, of currently some 73 embassies and consulates and 7 multilateral missions, promotes Ireland’s political, economic and cultural interests and values, provides services to our citizens, develops strategic stakeholder relationships and represents Ireland in international organisations.

The Embassies’ and Consulates work in support of Ireland’s interests includes:

Supporting Irish businesses to grow overseas, by promoting our wider trade interests including through EU and WTO regulation, facilitating business visas, underpinning the work of our State agencies and supporting Ministerial visits and trade missions;

Supporting and deepening trade and investment relationships around the world: by raising Ireland’s visibility in markets, proactively addressing market access issues, hosting high-level events in support of Irish business, brokering introductions and offering guidance on local markets and business culture;

Providing frontline consular and passport services to Irish citizens overseas, and

Influencing and negotiating for Ireland on issues that could impact our interests and priorities.

Work has begun on the initial phase of the expansion of Ireland’s diplomatic network which includes the Government decision to open new Embassies in Santiago, Chile; Bogotá, Colombia; Amman, Jordan, and Wellington, New Zealand and new Consulates General in Vancouver, Canada and Mumbai, India.

The cost of operating an embassy or consulate can vary significantly depending on its location, the type and range of services provided and the overall size of the embassy/consulate. The larger embassies/consulates would cost in the region of €1m to €5m per annum to operate. Smaller single diplomatic officer embassies/consulates would cost in the region of €0.5m per annum to operate.