Written answers

Thursday, 23 June 2022

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Diplomatic Representation

Photo of Peadar TóibínPeadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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246. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of new embassies Ireland that have opened globally in each of the past ten years. [33478/22]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Including Missions due to open later this year, Ireland has opened 25 new Missions over the past ten years, both Embassies and Consulates General.  This information is detailed below in tabular format, showing the location, year and type of each Mission opened.  As well as opening new Missions, Ireland has strengthened its existing network through the assignment of additional staff, not just from the Department of Foreign Affairs, but also from other Government Departments, and State Agencies under the Ireland House concept, as part of the integrated 'All-of-Government' integrated approach of the Global Ireland programme, which was launched in 2018.

The objective of the Global Ireland programme is to see Ireland’s global impact and influence double in the period to 2025, including through an expanded and strengthened diplomatic presence.  This remains the most ambitious renewal and expansion of Ireland’s international presence ever undertaken in the history of the State.

In considering locations for new Missions, a range of factors are taken into account including the needs of Irish citizens overseas, our national, political, economic and trade priorities, as well as the availability of resources.  Staff at missions work as part of Team Ireland, in close collaboration with State Agencies and other Government Departments to strengthen our international reputation, drive the development of our bilateral relationship with the country or countries to which they are accredited, and to promote our culture and values.

Year Number Opened Location(s) and type of mission
2022 3 Consulates General

Lyon, Miami, Toronto
2021 4 Embassies

Kyiv, Manila, Rabat

Consulate General

Manchester
2019 7 Embassies

Amman, Bogotá, Santiago

Consulates General

Cardiff (re-opening, following closure in 2009), Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Mumbai
2018 3 Embassies

Monrovia, Wellington

Consulate General

Vancouver
2014 8 Embassies

Bangkok, Holy See (re-opening, following closure in 2011), Jakarta, Nairobi (re-opening, following closure in 1988), Zagreb

Consulates General

Austin, Hong Kong, Sao Paulo
Total 25

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