Written answers

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Diplomatic Representation

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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379. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new embassies and consulates that have opened over the past 12 months; if Covid-19 has delayed the opening of planned embassies and consulates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18333/20]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since the launch in 2018 of Global Ireland - Ireland's Global Footprint to 2025, my Department has been working closely with a range of other Government partners to ensure the effective delivery of the ambition to double the scope and impact of our global footprint. This commitment has been further cemented in the new Programme for Government.

Since August 2018, new Embassies have opened in Wellington, Bogotá, Amman, and Santiago de Chile, and new Consulates General in Vancouver, Mumbai, Cardiff, Los Angeles and Frankfurt. The Irish Aid office in Monrovia has also been upgraded to an Embassy. Of these, the new Consulates General in Frankfurt and LA officially opened in the last 12 months.

The timelines for opening the new Embassies planned for Kyiv, Manila and Rabat have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis but planning is underway to facilitate the openings as soon as possible. In addition, the timeline for finalising the programme of works for the permanent offices in regard to a number of new Missions, operating in temporary office accommodation, has been impacted by delays related to COVID-19 however provisions have been put in place to minimise disruption.

The new Embassies and Consulates are contributing to the expansion and deepening of Ireland's international presence across priority regions, providing opportunities to grow our trade and inward investment, strengthening our political relationships with our partners, promoting our values, and supporting Irish citizens and our diaspora abroad. 

The Covid 19 crisis has highlighted the significant value added by the new Missions as they continue to play an instrumental role supporting Irish citizens abroad impacted by the crisis. The diplomatic network will also play an important role supporting the new Government as we work to shape the global recovery post-Covid.

The network of resident Irish diplomatic Missions overseas will continue to be kept under review, including in the context of the commitment, set out in the Programme for Government, to Global Ireland 2025, and its aim to double the scope and impact of our global footprint.

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