Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Ireland)
 Iveagh House, Department headquarters |
|
| Department overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 22 January 1919 |
| Jurisdiction | Republic of Ireland |
| Headquarters |
Iveagh House, 80 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, D02 VY53 53°20′12″N 6°15′34″W / 53.33667°N 6.25944°W |
| Minister responsible | |
| Department executive |
|
| Website | www |
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFA) (Irish: An Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha agus Trádála) is a department of the Government of Ireland that is responsible for promoting the interests of Ireland in the European Union and the wider world. The head of the Department is the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade who is assisted by two Ministers of State.
The position of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade is traditionally regarded as one of the most prestigious appointments in the Government of Ireland, below that of Taoiseach and Minister for Finance.
In 2016, the Department of Foreign Affairs had 1,470 employees, 320 of which were posted overseas.
The official headquarters and ministerial offices of the department are in Iveagh House, 80 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2. The departmental team consists of the following:
The Department of Foreign Affairs was created at the very first meeting of Dáil Éireann on 21 January 1919. By August 1921 there were eight 'official' missions abroad: France, Italy, USA, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, Argentina and Chile. No other Commonwealth country (other than the UK) had independent representation in Washington.
Over the years its name has changed several times. The area of Trade was added in 2011. The Department has been called the following:
Over the years a number of distinguished individuals have held the position of Minister for Foreign Affairs. Under their tenure as minister they have redefined Ireland's relationship with the United Kingdom and have allowed Ireland join and take a prominent role in organisations such as the European Union and the United Nations. These individuals include:
...
Wikipedia