SHOULD THE Government take a leaf from the Canadian government’s book when it comes to embassy residences?

The Canadians missed the peak of the Irish market when they decided to offload their stately residence in Killiney in 2007. But the spat over the €4.78m renovation of our ambassador’s residence, pictured, in Canada’s capital (taking out asbestos, adding two wings) raises the question: should Ireland sell it? After all, Ottawa is apparently in the middle of a property bubble, with prices rising. What could the residence sell for?

Real estate agent Marilyn Wilson, who rules the market in Rockcliffe Park (where some 150 of its 700 homes belong to diplomats), has sold properties ranging from $8m to over $12m (€5.6m to €8.39m), and entry level is $1m (€699,000). But she thinks we shouldn’t sell: “It’s a beautiful house, it had to be repaired – and your ambassador has given you a property with long-term value.”