Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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53. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the level of contact that took place between his Department, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and An Garda Síochána with regard to the recent expulsion of a Russian diplomat; if he is satisfied that all due process was followed with regard to the role of his Department and An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16535/18]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the formal relations between states in respect of diplomatic representation are governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961 and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 1963, which Ireland ratified in 1967. These two international treaties codify what is perhaps one of the oldest and most accepted fields of international law, namely the formal relations between states and their official representatives. 

Ireland maintains friendly relationships with many other states and all members of diplomatic or consular missions are required to respect the laws of the states where they are assigned, including the very clear obligations under the Vienna Conventions. 

Any breach of those obligations is treated seriously.

Deputy Wallace will know that the accreditation of any diplomat is granted by the host state and can be terminated by the host state.  The termination of an accreditation of a diplomatic staff member from another state is a matter for the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, in line with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The Tánaiste announced on 27 March that The Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had informed subsequently the Ambassador of the Russian Federation that the accreditation of a member of his staff with diplomatic status was to be terminated, in line with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. 

It would not be appropriate to comment on the detail of any specific or individual case in which an accreditation would be withdrawn and I do not propose to do so.  I can assure the Deputy, however, that the actions taken in respect of these events were informed by a full process of consultation between the relevant authorities here.