Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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672. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the post of Irish ambassador to Latvia will be filled on a permanent basis. [33702/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Our diplomatic Mission network plays a key role in promoting and protecting the values, interests and economic well-being of the country and its citizens. My Department manages a total of 91 overseas Missions (plus offices in Armagh and Belfast) consisting of67 Embassies, 7 multilateral Missions, 16 Consulates General and one Representative Office overseas.

Heads of Mission positions are filled by Ambassadors, Consuls General and Permanent Representatives as well as by Chargé d'Affaires in a small number of cases when the role is occupied on a temporary basis.

Currently the Embassy of Ireland in Latvia is headed by a Chargé d'Affaires. These assignments are generally of limited duration but it should be noted that the current public health emergency and measures to combat the spread of the virus, including restrictions on travel, may have an impact on the timing of rotations. The rotation of officers at all levels to ensure effective cover and continuity of service is being kept under continuous review by my Department.