Fine Gael Limerick TD, Patrick O’Donovan, has welcomed the reopening of the embassy to the Holy See. Deputy O’Donovan added that the wider expansion of the embassy network to key growth regions including Thailand and Indonesia will have a positive impact on the Government’s trade policy.
“The reopening of the embassy to the Holy See is a positive development, which will allow the Government to maintain a direct diplomatic link with the Vatican and to engage directly with the administration of Pope Francis on a variety of issues. In keeping with the Government’s intention to contain spending on foreign embassies, the new Vatican embassy will be a one-person operation.
“As well as the reopening of the Vatican embassy, Ireland will also boost its presence in a number of regions of strategic importance. For the first time, embassies will be established in the fast-growing economies of Thailand (Bangkok) and Indonesia (Jakarta). Consulates General are to be established in the financial and business hubs of Hong Kong (China) and Sao Paolo (Brazil), and in the tech hub of Austin, Texas (USA).
“In support of our aid programme, an embassy will also be established in Nairobi, Kenya. Finally, an embassy will be established in Zagreb, following the recent accession of Croatia to the EU. They will help to ensure Ireland is competing on the world stage. These new embassies will be small in scale, and the associated costs will be covered within existing budgets.”