Sorca Clarke
Question: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]
View answerWednesday, 6 May 2026
Questions (44)
Written answers
Under the Global Ireland Strategy, the Government committed to doubling Ireland’s global footprint in the period to 2025, including through an expanded and strengthened diplomatic presence. Ultimately 27 new diplomatic missions were opened. The Government has committed to a developing a new strategy, Global Ireland 2040, outlining an overarching masterplan for further enhancing our place and influence in international affairs, including ever deeper relationships with our European partners. This will include an expansion of the successful Ireland House concept, where all of our agencies are in one location, maximising impact in host countries and value for Irish taxpayers at home.
The location of new Irish diplomatic missions is based on an analysis of how they might contribute to the promotion of our economic interests, our values in this changing and uncertain international landscape, the promotion of our culture and in building stronger links with our diaspora. No decision has yet been made in respect opening a diplomatic mission in Oman.
Currently, the Embassy of Ireland in Saudi Arabia is accredited to Oman, and my officials there regularly engage with their Omani counterparts.
Ireland enjoys positive bilateral relations with Oman. Ireland and the EU have stood in solidarity and support with Oman, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) partners, during the current crisis. I spoke to Oman's Foreign Minister by phone in March this year, and thanked him for Oman's assistance with the evacuation of Irish citizens from the region through Muscat airport.
While the current crisis has presented challenges to the region, we remain fully committed to growing trade, investment and tourism links with Oman. My officials continue to work on providing new opportunities for Irish enterprise and progressing key areas of cooperation.