Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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52. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he proposes to open a new consulate in Australia, in recognition of the growing Irish population in that country and the strengthening relationship between Ireland and Australia. [41459/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Australia and Ireland share close and long-standing connections, underpinned by strong people-to-people links.In 2021, we celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations with Australia and our Embassies are engaged in a range of activities to deepen bilateral engagement as well as cooperation at multilateral level.

Ireland is represented by two diplomatic missions in Australia, with an Embassy in Canberra and a Consulate General in Sydney. The Embassy and the Consulate work to promote and protect Irish interests in Australia, to strengthen political and economic relationships, to support the Irish community, to promote cultural ties and the Irish arts. In addition, our Honorary Consul in Perth provides consular services and assistance to Irish citizens, supports local Irish community efforts and assists in developing trade and economic relations with Western Australia. Our missions work closely with Irish State Agencies, to promote trade, tourism and inward investment.

Our network of diplomatic missions in the Asia Pacific Region is kept under close review, in the context of the Programme for Government and theGlobal Ireland Strategy:Ireland's Global Footprint to 2025.