James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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144. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding reopening the Irish Embassy in Tehran to facilitate future co-operation and trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12953/19]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Embassy of Ireland in Ankara is accredited on a non-residential basis to Iran. The Ambassador of Ireland in Ankara travels regularly to Iran in support of our broad policy objectives, including the development of political relations, trade relations and supporting the needs of Irish businesses operating or hoping to operate there. Ireland is also represented in Iran by an Honorary Consul. Honorary Consuls are an important element of the State’s global engagement and provide consular services and assistance, as well as a range of other supports to citizens.

With the launch last year 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 the expansion of 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. The Government is conscious of the factors that might warrant the opening of a resident diplomatic mission in Iran, as in a number of other countries and will keep the matter under active review.