Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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569. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of diplomatic personnel from Ireland currently posted overseas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19687/20]

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 (Irish Aid) 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.

Departmental staff posted from the Department's Headquarters to Missions abroad is set out in the table below.