Public Affairs Ireland
Chapter 10 Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Offices Introduction Iveagh House,
The department is responsible for the conduct of Ireland’s relations with other states and international organisations. It comprises of 12 divisions in its Dublin headquarters as well as a network of embassies, consulates and multilateral missions, which carry out diplomatic relations with 174 countries around the world. The department’s mission statement is to advance Ireland’s interests and values in the European Union and in the wider world, to promote Ireland’s contribution to international peace, security and development, and to protect its citizens abroad and to pursue reconciliation and partnership on the island of Ireland. Following the General Election in 2011, the trade portfolio has been reassigned from the former Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
80 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. (Office of the Minister; Minister of State and Secretary General; Northern Ireland, UK and North America Division; Irish Abroad unit; Political division; Press office; Protocol section; Library; Registry.) Hainault House, 69-71 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. (Consular service; Trade and Promotion Division; Legal division.) 76-78 Harcourt St, Dublin 2. (Corporate services division;; European Union division; Translation section; ICT unit.) Riverstone House, 23-27 Henry Street, Limerick Irish Aid. 13-15 Hatch Street Dublin 2 Irish Aid. Molesworth Building, Molesworth Street, Dublin 2. (Passport office; Finance unit.) Main Telephone Number: 01 4780822 (LoCall: 1890 426 700) Fax Number: 01 4781484 Email: dfa@dfa.ie Email protocol: firstname.surname@dfa.ie Website: www.dfa.ie
Core areas of responsibility • International political relations with
agreements
states and international bodies
• Issuing of passports and
• Bilateral economic relations with
provision of Consular Services
other states
• Protocol – visits of dignitaries
• Administering Irish Aid in
to Ireland and visits abroad by
Developing Countries
the President
• Support to Irish emigrants abroad
• External Trade Promotion
• Negotiation of international
Strategy and Co-ordination
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Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade originates from the very first meeting of Dáil Éireann on January 21st 1919. Following the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty, the department was renamed the Department of External Affairs in 1922. It adopted the name the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1971, which it kept for 30 years. The department became that of Foreign Affairs and Trade in March 2011 following the formation of a coalition government between Fine Gael and the Labour Party.