New Gulf embassy for Ireland

The Government is to open a new embassy in the Gulf region, it emerged today.

The decision to locate the office in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flows from a high-level trade mission led by the Taoiseach in January.

The new embassy is expected to be located in either Dubai or Abu Dhabi, when details are announced by the Foreign Affairs Department in coming days.

There are already 1,000 Irish citizens living and working in the UAE, where over 30 Irish firms are doing business.

Direct air services are also expected to increase in coming months between Ireland and the Gulf state.

“It is envisaged that the embassy will promote bilateral economic relations in the region between Ireland and the UAE,” said a Government spokeswoman.