Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has given consideration to opening an embassy in Georgia as part of expanding Ireland's global footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40989/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Embassy of Ireland in Sofia, Bulgaria is accredited on a non-residential basis to Georgia. Ireland enjoys excellent relations with Georgia.

With the launch of ‘Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025’, the Government is committed to doubling the scope and impact of Ireland’s global footprint in the period ahead, while also continuously reviewing the scale of Ireland’s overseas network.

In considering expanding our diplomatic representation overseas, a range of factors is taken into account including our national political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources.

There are currently no plans to open an Embassy in Tbilisi.