Government to buy embassy buildings
The Government is planning to buy property housing three of its embassies abroad in a €20m initiative next year.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern was given the funding in the Government estimates in November.
It follows the release of €14m this year which was spent on a land and buildings programme abroad.
The funds were used to purchase the Irish Embassy in the Hague and residences in Ljubljana, in Slovenia, and Ankara, in Turkey.
They were also spent on the refurbishment of foreign missions in Paris, Buenos Aires, The Vatican, Lisbon, Madrid, Prague and Washington DC.
Mr Ahern said it made sense to buy property housing embassies.
“The public understands if possible you are better off buying rather than continually renting,” he explained.
“For many years, because of the economic circumstances, we did not have the money to purchase embassies or residences.
“In better times, the Minister for Finance Brian Cowen has been able to provide money which has allowed us to commence this purchase programme.”
The Government has 75 embassies and chanceries around the world – the most recent opening in Bulgaria and Romania.
The majority are based in rented properties.
There are 12 consulates, including four in the United States, located in Boston, Chicago, New York and San Francisco.
They are also located in Edinburgh and Cardiff.
