Wales : concern over consulate closure

- Rapport -

Plans were announced at the end of last month that the Irish Government will close its Consulate in Cardiff, Wales in July 2009

Cathal Ó Luain Par Celtic League le 14/06/09 23:40

Plans were announced at the end of last month that the Irish Government will close its Consulate in Cardiff, Wales in July 2009.

It has been reported that the closure of the Consulate is the result of a Government review of the size and deployment of its diplomatic and consular network. In a letter to First Minister of Wales, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin, said that as a result of the economic challenges, there were less resources available for overseas missions, adding that the decision to close the Consulate was a "sad and regrettable one".

Minister Martin went on to say that Wales is "our close friend and neighbour" and that the two countries "have many and varied links stretching back over centuries." Minister Martin stated though that the closure of the Consulate did not imply that that Ireland's relationship with Wales or the Welsh Assembly Government has been downgraded.

The Irish Minister said that he hoped that the relationship between the two countries could continue through the Irish Embassy in London and develop bilaterally through the British Irish Council and the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly. Minister Martin explained that he had already advised the Irish Ambassador in London to ensure that appropriate resources are deployed from the Irish Embassy in London to "prioritise" the future relationship between Wales and Ireland.

The Consulate in Cardiff was opened in May 1999, following the devolution of power to Wales in the form of the Welsh Assembly Government and the Belfast Agreement. Another Irish Consulate was opened in Edinburgh, Scotland at the same time, but it is understood that there are no plans to close the Scottish Consulate at the moment.

The General Secretary of the League has written to Minister Martin to express his disappointment at the closure and suggests that an Irish Honary Council be maintained in Cardiff for the moment, until the economic climate improves. The full text of the letter is set out below.

"Dear Minister Martin

Closure of Irish Consulate in Cardiff, Wales

I am writing to express my disappointment on hearing the news that the Irish Government has decided to close the Irish Consulate in Cardiff in July 2009.

Whilst I understand that the decision was made in the light of a review by the Irish Government into how its public finances are spent, the decision to close the Consulate completely may undermine the good work that has been achieved to date since it was opened in 1999. The decision to open the Consulate in Wales was a huge boost for relations between Wales and Ireland and even though I am aware that you have requested for the Irish Ambassador in London, Bobby McDonagh, to prioritise the objective of developing relations between Wales and Ireland, the London Embassy (or the British Irish Council for that matter) cannot not possibly fulfil the valuable role that a resident consul in Wales could.

I am sure our members would agree with me that rather than close the Consulate completely the Government could have appointed an Honorary Consul in Cardiff to reduce costs in the interim. I would therefore like to ask if this option was considered or if it is not too late to reconsider this option as a possible compromise?

We look forward to hearing your views on this matter.

Yours sincerely

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot General Secretary Celtic League"

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