24. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of staff that are currently accredited to the embassy of the Russian Federation. [69297/26]

Despite Ireland's fundamental disagreement with the actions taken by the Russian Federation since its unjustified and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Government's view is that diplomatic channels between Ireland and the Russian Federation should remain open.

This is in the interests of our citizens, in Russia and in the four Central Asian countries to which Ireland is accredited via our Embassy in Moscow. This also allows us to continue to formally convey the Government's strong objection to the illegal and unwarranted war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine.

The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961 identifies three categories of staff of a diplomatic mission: diplomatic staff, administrative and technical staff and service staff.

There are currently 17 staff members at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Ireland who have been notified to my Department under Article 10 of the Convention - six Diplomats and 11 Administrative and Technical staff. The current number of staff accredited to the Embassy is taken at a point in time, and minor increases or decreases in numbers may relate to vacancies that arise over time.

Prior to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine there were a total of 30 staff at the Embassy, 14 diplomats and 16 Administrative and Technical staff.