Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

204. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline any plans by his Department to expand Ireland's diplomatic representation abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27457/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Global Ireland 2025 was launched by Government with the aim of doubling Ireland’s footprint and impact by 2025. Under the strategy, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with the opening or announcement of twenty-seven new missions.

In March 2024, a further five new diplomatic missions were announced. They are embassies in Belgrade, Chisinau and Sarajevo; and consulates general in Málaga and Melbourne. These missions are scheduled to become operational over the course of 2025 and 2026.

Ireland currently operates 94 embassies and consulates general in 72 countries. Additionally, there has been a strengthening of strategically important diplomatic missions, including in Berlin, Brussels, London, Paris and Washington DC.

In addition to bilateral missions, we have multilateral missions to the OECD in Paris; the OSCE in Vienna; the Council of Europe in Strasbourg; the European Union in Brussels, and the United Nations in New York and Geneva.

We also consolidated the Ireland House model, where we co-locate missions with the state agencies. Most recently, Ireland Houses have been opened in New York, Tokyo and Stockholm, bringing their total to 20. The benefits of co-locating Team Ireland under the one roof are enormous and I am determined, as set out in the Programme for Government to further the development of this Ireland House model.

The Programme for Government also sets out an ambition for a new Global Ireland 2040 Strategy as successor to the current strategy.

The location of new missions is based on an analysis of how they might contribute to the promotion of our economic interests, our values in this changing and uncertain international landscape, the promotion of our culture and in building stronger links with our diaspora.