DFA Overview

The Role of the Department

The Department of Foreign Affairs advises the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Ministers of State and the Government on all aspects of foreign policy and coordinates Ireland’s response to international developments.  It also provides advice and support on all issues relevant to the pursuit of peace, partnership and reconciliation in Northern Ireland, and between North and South of the island, and to deepening Ireland’s relationship with Britain.

Ministers of the Department of Foreign Affairs

The Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Micheál Martin T.D. is a member of the Cabinet and is the political head of the Department. He has overall responsibility for the conduct of Ireland's relations with other States. 

There are two Ministers of State at the Department, who each have special responsibility for particular areas:

• Mr. Dick Roche T.D.  is Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European Affairs.
• Mr. Peter Power T.D. is Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for Overseas Development.

Structure of the Department

The Secretary General of the Department is Mr. David Cooney. Officials of the Department work in Dublin and in Ireland's network of seventy-six Missions overseas, which are an essential element of our work and responsibilities. At the Department's headquarters in Dublin, there are twelve Divsions as follows:

• Anglo-Irish Division  deals with Anglo-Irish relations and Northern Ireland. This Division is headed by Assistant Secretary Adrian O'Neill.
• Corporate Services Division is responsible for the day to day management of the Department. This division is headed by Assistant Secretary Barrie Robinson.
• Development Co-operation Directorate is responsible for the administration of the Irish overseas aid programme and for the conduct of Irish development policy. The Directorate is headed by Director General Brendan Rogers.
• European Union Division coordinates Ireland's approach within the EU. The Division is headed by Director General Peter Gunning.
• The Strategy and Performance Unit reviews the operations and systems of the Department of Foreign Affairs in Ireland and at its embassies and offices overseas, and makes recommendations for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department. The Strategy and Performance Unit is headed by Assistant Secretary Marie Cross.
• Irish Abroad Unit deals with promoting services that assist emigrants and administers the financial support that the Department directs to groups in the voluntary sector that are engaged in the delivery of services to Irish emigrants. The Division is headed by Joe Hackett
• Legal Division provides the Department with legal advice and has responsibilities in the negotiation of international agreements. The Division is headed by the Legal Adviser James Kingston.
• Consular and Passport Division is responsible for the administration of consular services and the issuing of passports to Irish citizens. The Division is headed by Assistant Secretary Ray Bassett.
• Political Division is responsible for international political issues and manages Ireland's participation in the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. Political Division is headed by the Political Director David Donoghue.
• Press Section is responsible for informing the domestic and international media about developments in Irish foreign policy. The Section is headed by the Press Officer, Philip Grant. 
• Protocol Division is responsible for the organisation and management of visits of VIPs to Ireland and of visits abroad by the President, as well as the administration of Ireland's obligations under the Vienna Convention. The Division is headed by the Chief of Protocol Kathleen White.
• Promoting Ireland Abroad Division includes the Bilateral Economic Relations Section which deals with Ireland's bilateral economic and trade relations with countries throughout the world; the Cultural Section which administers Ireland's Cultural Relations Programme; and the Information Section. The Division is headed by Assistant Secretary John Neary. 

The Role of Embassies and Other Offices Abroad

Ireland’s diplomatic missions and consular offices are dedicated to the pursuit of Ireland’s interests abroad and to enhancing Ireland’s international profile.  They are the external offices of the State, promoting Government policies and participating in the work of international organisations.  Ambassadors can also be accredited on a non-resident basis.  

Diplomatic and consular missions perform a range of representational, promotional and reporting functions.  They:

• deepen Ireland’s relations with host governments and advance our international priorities and objectives
• report on political, economic, legal, commercial and, as appropriate, EU developments
• advance Ireland’s economic interests through working with others in the public and private sectors to expand trade and tourism, and to highlight the benefits of inward investment in Ireland
• oversee the implementation of programmes in developing countries funded by the Government’s overseas development programme, Development Cooperation Ireland
• provide assistance to Irish citizens abroad and maintain contact with local Irish communities
• promote Irish culture and disseminate information on Ireland.

Missions accredited to multilateral organisations such as the United Nations present Ireland’s views in negotiations and debate within these organisations.

The role of the Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels is to represent the State in its interface with the EU institutions and in negotiations at official level in the Council of Ministers.  It also advises on negotiations at political level in the Council of Ministers and at the European Council.

Ireland maintains diplomatic relations with 172 Governments.  In addition to offices in Armagh and Belfast, the Department maintains a network of 75 resident diplomatic and consular missions overseas comprising 58 Embassies, 7 multilateral missions (to the European Union, to the United Nations in New York and Geneva, to the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and UNESCO, and to the Council of Europe) and 10 Consulates-General and other offices.  

In addition, there are 22 Honorary Consuls General and 68 Honorary Consuls who provide assistance to Irish citizens in 61 countries.  Contact details for all Irish Missions overseas are available here.

At any one time, almost 50% of the Department’s staff of approximately 1,400 are serving abroad.  This figure includes some 300 locally recruited staff who, through their dedication and local knowledge, make an invaluable contribution to the successful operation of our Missions.