Anger over embassy staff using immunity

EMBASSIES should be held liable for staff who claim diplomatic immunity when they cause damage to private property, a Southside TD has said.

Deputy Derek Keating (FG) said he was shocked when he heard one man claim on RTE’s Liveline show recently that his car was damaged by an embassy staff member.

The man was frustrated because he had no means of claiming damages from the staff member at the embassy because of his diplomatic immunity.

Deputy Keating explained:

“I heard the interview and this guy parked a new car close to the entrance of the embassy. He claimed that a member of the embassy hit his car.

“My take on it is that even though officials might have diplomatic immunity, they [the embassies] should face the consequences for any damages that members of their staff might cause.

“Embassies should not be immune from reimbursing costs that might have been incurred where diplomatic staff may have been involved or may have been culpable,

? he added.

Deputy Keating raised the matter with the Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore in the Dail recently.

Deputy Eoghan Murphy (FG) told Southside People that he was also aware of the incident in question.

“I don’t think it is possible to change the law in this regard, but I think there is a certain onus on diplomats to respect Irish law,

? he said.

In response to the parliamentary question submitted by Deputy Keating, Minister Gilmore noted that embassies were regulated by the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

He said his department reminds embassies about their obligations under the Vienna Convention when gardai bring traffic violations or other such issues concerning embassy staff to its attention.

“My department works to ensure that the law is upheld and will assist, as appropriate, any investigation being undertaken by the Irish authorities,

? the minister stated.

“My department expects all those diplomatic agents duly accredited here to respect Irish laws and regulations, as indeed we expect our embassies abroad to respect the laws and regulations of the host country.

?