12. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her proposals to expand the Irish diplomatic footprint in areas with a growing diaspora community [38356/26]

46. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the expansions that have taken place and are planned in our overseas embassies and consulates, with particular emphasis on supporting trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38396/26]

67. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her Department’s plans for the opening of new Irish embassies, consulates and Ireland houses over the next two years; if any specific areas that have been identified by her Department as a priority to extend Ireland’s diplomatic reach in the short term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38213/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 46 and 67 together.

The Government is committed to strengthening Ireland’s place in the world. In the current uncertain and challenging geopolitical context - this is more important than ever.

Since 2018, under Global Ireland 2025, Ireland’s diplomatic footprint has expanded significantly with twenty-seven new diplomatic missions opened. The State agencies have also expanded their overseas presence with new offices in key economic and trade hubs.

The final diplomatic mission to open under Global Ireland 2025 is the new Consulate General in Málaga. The new Consul General has now taken duty and the mission is set to begin providing consular services in the coming months. The new mission in Málaga will be a significant addition to our diplomatic network in addressing the needs of our citizens, both visiting and resident in southern Spain.

Earlier this year in March, the new Consulate General in Melbourne opened. The new Consulate serves the growing Irish community in Victoria, and is already working to deepen bilateral political and economic ties, and support Irish businesses in a thriving economic hub.

In addition to the new diplomatic missions there has been significant expansion of our diplomatic resources in key locations, including in our missions in Washington D.C., Brussels and London.

In December I announced further diplomatic roles at our Embassies and Consulates General in the USA, in Europe, in the Gulf region and in the Asia Pacific region to support the objectives of the Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification.

We are also currently reviewing our attaché networks and, State Agencies are examining their global footprints in line with diversifying trade and investment markets. Altogether, these are significant investments to bolster our economic capacity at missions and across Team Ireland to support delivery of market diversification objectives.

The Government is also continuing to maximise the impact of our existing overseas offices through the development of Ireland House projects in strategic locations.

A new Ireland House will be completed in Lyon in the coming weeks. New Ireland Houses are expected to be completed in London and Toronto by the end of 2027. A project has commenced to move the current Ireland House in Madrid to a new premises in 2028 and planning is underway to move the Consulate General and State Agencies in Milan to a new Ireland House. The delivery of these five new Ireland House premises will bring the number of Ireland Houses overseas to twenty-four by 2028.

Building on successful implementation of the Global Ireland 2025, the Government is committed to the development of Global Ireland 2040, as an overarching strategic plan to further enhance our place and influence in international affairs, including ever deeper relationships with our European partners. The Government’s Action Plan on Market Diversification, the International Sports Diplomacy Strategy which I launched in February, alongside my colleague, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, and the recently launched Diaspora Strategy will inform the new strategy.

Decisions on new missions will be taken in the framework of Global Ireland 2040 and the subsequent whole-of-government regional plans committed to in the Programme for Government. All decisions on new openings are based on a robust analysis of how they will support our citizens, contribute to the promotion of our political and economic interests, and promote our culture internationally.