FINE GAEL MEP Gay Mitchell called for a review of the State’s ambassadorial presence in Europe, an intervention which comes as the Government embarks on a concerted diplomatic drive to restore Ireland’s international reputation.
Saying it should be possible in times of easier communication “to cover more ground with the resources we have or do the same with less”, Mr Mitchell questioned whether Ireland needed 10 ambassadors to be resident in five European countries.
With diplomatic expenditure already down significantly in the push for austerity, Mr Mitchell’s remarks come as the Government tries to re-engage with Europe and presses the case for better bailout terms from its sponsors in the euro zone.
Ireland has 76 foreign missions, covering diplomatic relations with 176 countries and international organisations. As the Government proceeds with a comprehensive spending review, the scale and cost of the network is likely to come under close scrutiny in the coming months.
Mr Mitchell, who said he acknowledged Ireland’s diplomatic network was “relatively small”, suggested some senior diplomats could double up in their duties.
“Luxembourg and Sweden do not have ambassadors resident in Ireland. We continue to have ambassadors resident in those countries,” he said.
“We have four people of ambassador rank in Brussels – the ambassador to Belgium, two permanent representatives to the EU and an ambassador to the Political and Security Committee of the EU.
“We have two ambassadors in France (Paris and the Council of Europe in Strasbourg) and two in Rome (Italy and the Holy See).
“The Holy See is an important listening post but could not the ambassador be also ambassador to, say, Slovenia?”
Saying Strasbourg and Luxembourg were two hours apart by car, Mr Mitchell said one ambassador could cover both posts.
“One of the three representatives to the EU could double as ambassador to Belgium, and Stockholm could be covered from Copenhagen,” he said.
“This sort of reorganisation would free up four ambassadors who could be reassigned to new strategic duties such as economic and trade promotion, or could be assigned to new emerging economies in, say, Asia.”
The Department of Foreign affairs said it noted Mr Mitchell’s remarks but declined to enter into discussion about his proposals.
Mr Mitchell, a former minister for European affairs, said he never met an ambassador who did not work hard but said “we need to use the very skilful expertise we have in a way that serves Ireland’s current priorities”. He said he knew first hand how effective Ireland’s diplomatic staff can be.
