Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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287. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities that are presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19034/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland's Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels is dedicated to pursuing, securing and protecting Ireland's interests and objectives in the EU. As the State's largest overseas mission, the Permanent Representation has staff posted from the Department of Foreign Affairs and staff seconded from almost all Government Departments.

By negotiating and lobbying on behalf of Ireland, on the instruction of Government Ministers and in close consultation with the home administration, the staff in Ireland's Permanent Representation ensure Ireland’s influence on all EU laws and decisions. They do this by working closely with the 26 other countries in the Council of the European Union, with the Commission, the European Parliament, other institutions, the Council Secretariat, and a wide variety of other stakeholders.

In 2016, there were a total of 84 posted officers in the Permanent Representation. This has increased to 96 posted officers as at March 2022. There are currently 4 vacant secondment posts from other Departments, one of which is expected to be filled imminently. In addition, there is one vacancy in the posted staff from my Department, which will be filled in August 2022.

A list of roles and responsibilities at the Permanent Representation in Brussels updated in November 2021 can be accessed at this link: Staff - Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie)