Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

8. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will give consideration to opening a new Irish Consulate General office in the Bahamas. [34721/25]

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

In June 2018, the Government launched Global Ireland: Ireland’s Global Footprint to 2025. The strategy aims to see Ireland’s global footprint and influence double in the period to 2025, including through an expanded and strengthened diplomatic presence. Under the Global Ireland strategy, 27 diplomatic missions have been opened or have been approved and will open shortly.

The Embassy of Ireland in Canada is accredited to the Bahamas and provides the platform from which we are strengthening and deepening our relationship with the Bahamas. Ireland’s bilateral relations with the Bahamas have been further strengthened through increased regional engagement and the ongoing implementation of the Global Ireland strategies for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and for Partnership with Small Island Developing States (SIDS). A key commitment of these strategies was the opening of Ireland’s new Office for the Caribbean in February 2024 to support enhanced and sustained engagement with the Caribbean region.

In addition, Ireland also has an Honorary Consul in the Bahamas, who provides assistance and advice to Irish citizens.

The Government reviews the network of diplomatic missions on an ongoing basis, and will do so in the context of the successor to the Global Ireland Strategy agreed in the Programme for Government. 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.