David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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128. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his Department’s plans to open new embassies and consulates in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22913/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Global Ireland aims to see Ireland’s global footprint and influence double in the period to 2025, including through an expanded and strengthened diplomatic presence. Specifically, the Global Ireland programme envisages the opening of 26 new Missions.

Since the launch of Global Ireland in June 2018, 14 missions have now opened.  A Government decision in 2021 approved the opening of a further four new missions in Dakar, Lyon, Miami and Toronto, and these will open over the next twelve months, in which time we will also reopen our embassy in Tehran.  This will bring to 19 the number of new missions opened as a key deliverable of the Global Ireland programme. 

All Missions are located in regions where there are opportunities for Ireland to advance our national, economic and political priorities.  Missions work as part of Team Ireland in cooperation with State Agencies and other Government Departments, to strengthen Ireland's international reputation and drive and promote our interests in trade and investment, and across a range of sectors including tourism, science, technology and innovation, culture and education.

In considering further expansion a range of factors continue to be examined, including our national, political and economic priorities, as well as the availability of resources.