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Ireland's, Embassies Galore
national |
anti-capitalism |
opinion/analysis
Sunday June 03, 2018 09:23 by Joe Terry
In an advanced technological communications era, what a waste and nonsense to even contemplate opening yet another embassy to add to the seventy-four existing Irish missions across the world?
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Jump To Comment: 1Embassies and consulates serve two important functions in addition to diplomacy. They enhance trade opportunities for Irish exporters. They ply soft power in the countries where opened. Soft power in diplomacy follows on from the historic work of Irish missionaries during the twentieth century and, in diminishing numbers, into the current century. Mexico, Chile and other Latin American states also have notable achievements in the Irish diaspora from the early 19th century; Bernardo O'Higgins of Sligo ancestry and other contributors to the development of independent nations being among them. Irish diplomacy is seriously building on historical goodwill to promote Irish exports and encourage tourism. Middle Eastern states have employed doctors, nurses, teachers and engineers in recent decades, and require dairy products, medical equipment, bottled spring water and other things produced in Ireland. Countries of Asia, notably China and India, also require milk products and processed baby foods from a trustworthy green agricultural country. Consulates can be run effectively with small staffing. Sometimes professional Irish people in countries like Malawi have served as honorary consuls. As Ireland braces itself for Brexit it becomes ever more important that wider markets are developed for Irish produce.