THE GOVERNMENT has decided to shut the Irish consulate in Cardiff as part of cost-cutting measures at the Department of Foreign Affairs. The consulate will close in July, the first casualty of a Government review of the size and deployment of its diplomatic and consular network.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin informed Welsh first minister Rhodri Morgan of the decision in a letter sent late last month. In the letter, seen by The Irish Times, Mr Martin notes the “severe economic challenges” faced by Ireland and how the “consequent pressures on its public finances” had resulted in “fewer resources” for overseas missions.
Describing the decision to shut the consulate as a “sad and regrettable” one, Mr Martin told the Welsh first minister it should in no way be construed as a downgrading of Ireland’s relationship with Wales or the Welsh Assembly.
“Wales is our close friend and neighbour,” he said. “We have many and varied links stretching back over centuries.”
Mr Martin did, however, acknowledge that the move would “inevitably cause disappointment to all those who value relations between Ireland and Wales” and said he hoped that Mr Morgan would appreciate the “very challenging context which has resulted in this difficult decision”.
Mr Martin said he believed the bilateral relationship with Wales could be effectively sustained and promoted through the Irish Embassy in London. The Minister informed Mr Morgan he has asked the newly appointed Ambassador to London, Bobby McDonagh, to “prioritise this objective” and redeploy staff resources accordingly.
He said he expected the Ambassador and his staff to visit Wales on a regular basis.
“I am also confident that the close co-operation between our two administrations and our parliaments will continue to be developed bilaterally and through the British Irish Council and the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly,” he added.
The consulate in Cardiff was officially opened by then minister for foreign affairs David Andrews in May 1999. The decision to open the mission, along with a consulate in Edinburgh, was taken in light of the Belfast Agreement the previous year. It is understood there are no plans to shut the mission in Edinburgh.
The current consul general in Cardiff is Gearóid McNamara.