Diplomatic Representation

750. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current staffing levels at the visa desk in the embassy in Pretoria; his views that staffing is sufficient to manage visa workload and the processing of visas within a timely manner; the current processing times for family reunification applications at that desk; his plans to address delays in processing part…

751. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the current staffing levels at the visa desk in the embassy in Abuja; his views that staffing is sufficient to manage visa workload and the processing of visas within a timely manner; the current processing times for family reunification applications at that desk; his plans to address delays in processing particu…

44. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she has plans to open a new Irish Consulate General in Muscat, Oman. [32822/26]

4. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the dates to-date in 2026 on which the Irish Consular General based in San Francisco has met formally with the Governor of the State of Colorado, in tabular form. [31033/26]

244. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when the announcement will be made on the appointment of the next Ambassador of Ireland to the USA. [30402/26]

245. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide a list of all staff, by grade currently assigned to the Embassy of Ireland in Washington, D.C., including locally engaged staff employed by the Embassy; and to detail any existing vacancies. [30404/26]

334. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of males and females that applied for the post of executive assistant to the Irish Ambassador based in Singapore. [28006/26]

297. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the process by which diplomats are selected and appointed to serve abroad; the criteria used in making such appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25393/26]

298. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to outline the process for selection and appointing ambassadors; whether these appointments are made through a formal competition process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25394/26]

312. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade , the dates in 2025 and to-date in 2026 where the Irish Ambassador based in Washington DC has met formally with the Governor of State of Virginia; and the purpose of each meeting, in tabular form. [25734/26]

146. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her views on the merits of establishing embassies in all EU accession countries with a view to increasing diplomatic relations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22371/26]

212. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to give consideration to establishing diplomatic relations with Bhutan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21978/26]

213. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to list the countries recognised by the United Nations with which Ireland does not have diplomatic relations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21979/26]

214. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her plans to expand Ireland's diplomatic presence across Japan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21995/26]

98. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consider broadening the criteria for appointing high level diplomats, including ambassadors; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8245/26]

153. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the location and nature of refurbishment works that were carried out at Irish Embassies in 2025; and the location and nature of refurbishment works that are scheduled to be carried out at Irish Embassies in 2026, in tabular form. [7420/26]

160. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the diplomatic efforts to promote religious freedom internationally; the specific initiatives funded by Ireland in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7864/26]

885. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to have an agricultural attaché posted to the Irish Embassy in Canada. [8504/26]

282. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total number of diplomats posted abroad; the number of those that are posted to the US, India and China respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1830/26]

267. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for a report on how Ireland has enhanced its diplomatic capacity in 2025; her priorities for 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [73560/25]

167. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her Department's plans to expand Ireland's diplomatic presence across Australia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71396/25]

176. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she plans to expand the Ireland house model in South Africa. [72223/25]

82. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a schedule by Irish embassy and consulate, to include the amounts expended by event in respect of venue hire, food, drinks and alcohol in 2024 and to date in 2025; and if she will provide same for events hosted within this jurisdiction to include event. [70349/25]

83. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will provide a schedule by Irish embassy and consulate to include the amount expended by event in respect of the engagement of an external events management company. [70350/25]

146. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if she will consider providing diplomatic assistance or engagement to assist in securing the safe return of children and staff abducted from St. Mary’s Catholic primary and secondary schools in Papiri, Niger State, Nigeria (details supplied); if she could outline any assistance provided to date; and if she will make a statem…