The decision announced yesterday by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade significantly to expand Ireland's embassy network is an essential affirmation that this country's future prosperity depends above all on our full integration into global emerging markets, particularly in Asia. It is an important vote of confidence in our ability to trade with the best and most demanding.
Perhaps most controversial, however, is the decision to return to the Holy See. The closure of the embassy in 2012 had been justified disingenuously, almost laughably, on the basis that, in tough economic times, the embassy produced no economic return. Hogwash. As everyone was well aware at the time, the closure was an attempt to manifest understandable displeasure, not least on the part of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, at the Vatican’s failure to co-operate with tribunals into priests’ involvement in child abuse. Why it could not be publicly justified in such terms was puzzling.
Point made, however. A reopening of the embassy is welcome. And not just in terms of an ostensible "focus on international development" and engagement with "the leadership of Pope Francis on the issues of poverty eradication, hunger and human rights" to which the Department's statement yesterday adverts.
It seems that the Minister remains coy about ever justifying any mission in terms of a traditional diplomatic role of representing Ireland’s values and political interests, reporting on thinking of and trends in capitals, and cultivating bilateral relationships. There is nothing indefensible about such necessary work, although it is sometimes caricatured as “wining and dining for Ireland”. A shift in diplomatic priorities to trade promotion – reflected in the merging of the two departments – was, and remains, important and welcome, but there is more to Irish foreign policy than expanding trade and boosting business. Diplomacy is not a dirty word.
The economic/trade focus is central to decisions to open three of the five new embassies – Bangkok, Jakarta, and Nairobi, with the latter's development role supplemented by a mandate to "help to accelerate the planned transition from 'aid to trade' in Africa". New consulates in Austin, Texas, Hong Kong and Sao Paolo, similarly. Chile and Colombia were also considered for embassies, but regrettably the means are not currently available. The embassy in Zagreb reflects the need for representation in all EU capitals.
The €4.7 million cost of the missions, of promotions, and first intake in years of a batch of 20 new third secretaries, is to be met out of current budgets and savings – including the closure of the Lesotho embassy and a slimming down of our Lithuania mission. It will be difficult for an overstretched department – but vital.