Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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46. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met with the Russian ambassador recently; the current complement of staff at the embassy at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19895/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have not met the Russian Ambassador to Ireland since taking up the role of Minister for Foreign Affairs.

However, officials in my Department have met with the Ambassador on a number of occasions – most recently in March 2023 - to make clear our utter condemnation of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and to discuss a range of operational issues, in line with our obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR). This is the international agreement on arrangements for diplomats and diplomatic missions to which both Ireland and the Russian Federation are party.

There are currently 21 officers at the Embassy of the Russian Federation who have been notified to my Department under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations - 9 Diplomats and 12 Administrative and Technical staff.

Prior to the invasion of Ukraine there were a total of 30 officers at the Embassy, 14 diplomats and 16 Administrative and Technical staff.