Catherine Murphy
Question:142. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he plans to open an Irish Embassy in Qatar. [18907/24]
View answerTuesday, 30 April 2024
Questions (142)
Written answers
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.
The Global Ireland strategy commits to opening at least 26 new diplomatic Missions by 2025. Since its launch, 27 missions have been opened or announced for opening. These comprise a total of 14 embassies in: Amman, Belgrade, Bogotá, Chisinau, Dakar, Islamabad, Kyiv, Manila, Monrovia, Rabat, Santiago de Chile, Sarajevo, Tehran and Wellington, and 13 consulates general in: Cardiff, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Lyon, Malaga, Manchester, Melbourne, Miami, Milan, Mumbai, Munich, Toronto, and Vancouver.
The addition of Missions has been complemented by a significant expansion in the presence of Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland in key markets and by the strengthening of strategically important Missions (including Brussels, London, Paris, Berlin, PMUN New York, Tokyo and Beijing) with the assignment of additional staff from several Government Departments.
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. Staff at missions work as part of Team Ireland, in close collaboration with State Agencies and other Government Departments to strengthen our international reputation, drive the development of our bilateral relationship with the country or countries to which they are accredited, and to promote our culture and values.
Ireland enjoys good relations with Qatar. My Department maintains regular diplomatic contacts with Qatar, primarily though our Ambassador in Abu Dhabi, who presented her credentials to the Emir of Qatar in March 2023, and who travels there frequently for contacts with government, business and Irish community contacts. We also engage with Qatar through its Embassy to Ireland, based in London, and in UN fora.
The Government has no plans to open an Embassy in Qatar at present.