Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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469. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the location of each of Irish embassy and consulate across the world; and the staff complement in each embassy and consulate. [15193/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s network of diplomatic and consular Missions around the world is critical to the achievement of our foreign policy objectives. The network also ensures efficient delivery of passport and consular services to our citizens, support to emigrant organisations and outreach to the diaspora and other networks of influence.

The work of my Department in promoting a more just, fair, secure and sustainable world continues through Mission engagement with multilateral institutions and agencies, including those of the United Nations, and via implementation of the development aid programme in partner countries. Activities of our multilateral Missions in New York and Geneva will be of increasing importance as Ireland prepares to take a seat on the UN Security Council on 1 January 2021 for a two year period. Our largest overseas Mission is the Permanent Representation in Brussels which brings together civil servants from almost every Government Department to promote and represent Ireland’s interests in the EU.

Our staff in Embassies and Consulates also make a strong contribution to job creation, exports, tourism and education in Ireland by assisting Irish businesses overseas in close cooperation with State Agencies.

Our Missions are staffed by Departmental officers posted from headquarters; by staff seconded from other Government Departments in certain Missions, including the Permanent Representation in Brussels and visa officers seconded to Missions from the Department of Justice as set out in the table below.

*In addition to civil servant officers posted abroad, a number of technical, administrative, policy and development activities are carried out by staff recruited locally by Missions.

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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470. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the premises of each Irish embassy are either owned or leased or rented by the State. [15194/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland’s diplomatic and consular missions play a crucially important role in the achievement of foreign policy and economic objectives. Currently they occupy a total of 165 premises, of which 130 are rented and 35 are State-owned, as set out in the following table:

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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471. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the new build and purchase programme for embassies undertaken over the past ten years. [15195/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Embassy network plays a key role in the pursuit of Ireland’s foreign policy objectives. At present, the Department is responsible for the management of 166 properties comprising of Embassies, Consulates General, Permanent Missions, Permanent Representations, Secretariats, Representative Offices and official accommodation

Ireland’s diplomatic network has expanded significantly in recent years following the launch of “Global Ireland” in 2018. The locations for new Missions agreed by Government were identified on the basis of maximising impact in promoting Ireland’s economic and political interests; expanding our influence in terms of values and in delivering clear benefits for the State.

Properties are purchased in locations where there is a clear economic advantage to owning rather than renting property and where the necessary funds are available. Properties are otherwise leased following due diligence including on health and safety, accessibility and value for money criteria.

The following overseas properties have been purchased since 2010:-

- Lilongwe Official Accommodation purchased in 2017

- Tokyo site for new Ireland House and official accommodation in 2017

- Property neighbouring the Embassy in Washington D.C. to extend space in 2018

The following new builds have been completed or initiated since 2010:-

- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Chancery completed in 2010

- Tokyo, Japan - Ireland House and Official Accommodation - ongoing

- Abuja, Nigeria - Chancery and Official Accommodation - ongoing