Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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170. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether it is acceptable from a trade perspective for the social media account of an Irish Embassy (details supplied) to make statements regarding a strike in which it appears to use its position to represent the interests of one particular company headquartered in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28918/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, trade and economic promotion is an important part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ overseas Mission network. The Mission network works to diversify our markets, to increase trade and investment with Ireland, to enable Irish companies to better take advantage of new opportunities, and to support Irish businesses in markets, by providing contacts and information.

Embassies and Consulates General play a crucial role in advancing Ireland’s international trade as part of Team Ireland overseas. They provide support for Ireland’s State Agencies, including through supporting their strategic objectives and activities in overseas markets. The role of the Mission network in supporting the promotion of exports is particularly pertinent in markets with limited or no State Agency presence, such as in the case of the Embassy referenced.

Officers based at all Missions continuously engage in economic and public diplomacy to promote Irish exports and to advance Ireland’s prosperity and raise awareness of Ireland as a place to live, study, work, visit and do business.

In June 2018, the Government launched the Global Ireland initiative, which aims to double the impact and scope of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. Global Ireland's targets include enhanced global engagement, the expansion of Ireland’s Embassy network and strengthening of Ireland’s State Agency presence overseas. Each of these measures will increase Ireland’s international visibility, facilitate market diversification and intensification, and deepen bilateral relations in support of the Government’s economic and political objectives, including in the context of Brexit.

The trade and economic activity of Missions will be particularly important in the post-Brexit context and in contributing to national prosperity as we, and the world, recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

While trade and economic promotion activity is a key priority for overseas Missions, it is obviously, and should not be, the only priority. The Mission network addresses a range of other priority engagements, including:

- to strengthen political, social and cultural relationships with countries of accreditation;

- to contribute to the promotion of global peace and security, as well as help us to promote our values through, where appropriate, supporting peace building, strengthening conflict prevention accountability for those who violate international human rights or humanitarian law and contributing to prosperity and sustainable development;

- to deepen our engagement with international partners, particularly through multilateral organisations including the United Nations;

- to support and assist Irish citizens and our diaspora abroad, and

- to engage in public diplomacy related to all the above priorities.