Written answers
Wednesday, 12 July 2023
Department of An Taoiseach
Diplomatic Representation
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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42. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will set out the number of officers at the Embassy of the Russian Federation who have been notified to his Department under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations, and any changes in the number notified in the past six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34626/23]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently 20 officers at the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Ireland who have been notified to my Department under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations - 8 Diplomats and 12 Administrative and Technical staff.
Since 1 January 2023, my Department has been notified, under Article 10 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, of the departure of 3 Diplomats and 2 Administrative and Technical staff at the Embassy of the Russian Federation to Ireland.
Prior to Russia's invasion of Ukraine there were a total of 30 officers at the Embassy - 14 Diplomats and 16 Administrative and Technical staff.
Ireland continues to coordinate closely with other EU Member States on our engagement with Russia, including keeping numbers of embassy personnel under review.
Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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43. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of Irish diplomatic and support staff assigned to the Irish Embassy in Moscow; if there have been any changes in this number in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34628/23]
Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently three Irish posted staff members at the Embassy of Ireland in Moscow – the Ambassador, the Deputy Head of Mission, and one immigration officer from the Department of Justice.
In 2021, there were a total of eight Irish posted staff, which included three officers from the Department of Justice. Two posted staff were expelled in April 2022 by the Russian Government, in response to the expulsion of four officials at the Russian Embassy in Dublin. The reduction in numbers also reflects reduced economic activity as a result of EU sanctions on Russia in response to their ongoing aggression in Ukraine.
The Embassy employs fifteen Russian national staff members who provide administrative, technical and service support. This number has decreased by nine in the last two years.
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