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OPENING TEN NEW Irish embassies in 2019, with a further three openings scheduled in 2020, is linked to Ireland’s Brexit strategy, according to Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney.
In announcing the government’s plans for this year, the Tánaiste also defended the costly practice of leasing, rather than buying property abroad.
By the end of 2019 Ireland will have opened the following new missions:
The government is planning a further three openings in 2020:
Coveney said “there is an element of a Brexit strategy” in opening these new embassies in terms of some sectors having an over-reliance on trade with the UK, stating that there are new markets Irish businesses can tap into.
He added that even if Brexit was not happening, Ireland would be pressing ahead with increasing its diplomatic footstep.
Describing it as “pretty dramatic in terms of the pace of expansion”, Coveney said there will be a huge return for the opening of the new embassies.
Cost of renting over buying property abroad
The Tánaiste also defended the spend on embassies abroad.
The Oireachtas Public Accounts Committee recently said it is concerned there is a move towards long-term rental, rather than the State buying properties and questioned whether renting premises for Irish embassies abroad is value for money.
The top five Irish embassy rental costs last year were Brussels, New York, Beijing and London.
The cost of renting the premises in Brussels last year cost €1.065 million, while Ireland’s permanent representation to the UN in New York cost €885,014. The Consulate General in New York cost €814,406 to rent.
Beijing embassy rent cost €501,825 and the London embassy and official accommodation cost €406,490.
Coveney said the State buys and leases properties abroad.
“We do both,” he said, adding that properties divisions have a job to do in order “to get the best value for money” in the right locations.
“There is no point in buying property and then finding ourselves stuck in properties that are devalued and in the wrong place in five years time,” he said, adding that the government buys where it can be assured there is value for money, and “when we can’t do that, we lease, it is case by case”.
There will be no cap on the spending for new embassies, said Coveney, who added that all costs will be transparent and every penny will be accounted for.
Among the embassies opening over the next two years, Coveney said the ‘Ireland House’ in Tokyo is one of the government’s biggest undertakings, describing it as a “huge piece of infrastructure”.
He said he was glad an embassy was opened in New Zealand, saying it should have been opened many years ago.
A site visit to Los Angeles is to take place soon, according to Coveney who said the Irish government won’t “rush into buying next door to Robbie Keane”.
He said the embassy will help promote Irish film, stating that two focuses for that embassy is on tech and also the creative industries.
“Ireland has built a reputation for itself which allows us to expand into new markets in a very exciting way. This is about capitalising on the opportunities that are emerging,” he said.
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Beer and Cider over for another year. Back on the stout for the winter.
A nation retreats from the sexy cocktail bars, back to pubs with peat briquettes burning in the hearth.
I’ve to do my MND ice bucket challenge today,
Jesus I’ll be soaked before I start…
It’s for a great cause so the auld rain won’t bother me.
Don’t forget to TXT MND TO 50300 if you haven’t done so already….
Good luck if you’re planning on buying a bag of ice anywhere, I had to do a frozen pea challenge instead!!
Hope you didn’t end up with a frozen bean Sarah?????……
I’m going all Snoop Dog this morning and bringing my umbrella, Fo’Drizzle
Hoping for some “back to school” weather by the end of the week … It’s tradition for goodness sake! ;)
I actually like the rain.
*I actually lack a brain*
Glen, turn off your predictive spelling.
That’s a good one Dara … If you can’t take a slagging there’s no hope for you.
It’s Monday morning, the weather’s acting up and everyone’s a bit grumpy but let’s not turn on one another :)
Michelle
Some people just can’t help it.
Y’know who else are turning on one another? Gazans.
*flees*
Glen strikes again with his unpopular opinions
Well I totally enjoyed the sunshine and warmth of the Summer.
Was lucky enough to be able to work outside for every day of it and spent most weekends outdoors.
Hopefully we get a late blast of god weather before the frosty mornings.
This was one of the best summer’s in many years.
Ah Mike, we have to hold out hope that the traditional September Indian summer comes through for us. I love autumn but this is wintry!
That was my first summer spent in ireland and many have told me it was a good one, personally I’m still waiting for it to start and now its gone ?
Maybe i shouldn’t have left australia!
Hehe.. Wait for the winter Stephen.
Us Celts are naturally blue in colour, we need a month’s sunshine to get white and we use WD40 as a sun factor.
When a plane load of Irish go on a sun holiday it’s like a pressure cooker venting steam.
Aah Michelle … don’t forget schools
re-open……. TRAFFIC!! and some happy parents!!!
Oops … Sorry – wrong post – that was meant for 9 at 9 …. Yes rains getting to me ;-)
It’s only a bit of water will you relax !!
Excellent. …i love Ireland s cool changeable weather
I don’t know what all this is about, it was actually warm last night, the news said it was gonna get like 3c but it was 14c, they never get anything right
Fliuch off
Is it illegal to have your foggys on If it’s not foggy. If so why so anyone? :
Ever notice when it isn’t foggy people have their fogs on. When it’s Foggy no one does. Strange!
Haven’t the foggiest !
It blinds yeah!
Oh the bizarre behaviour of the irish driver. Strange indeed
Oh you ole dog Thom
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