Ireland is to expand its diplomatic reach by establishing an Embassy in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, and opening consulate offices in the capitals of Scotland and Wales - both of which will soon be home to parliamentary assemblies.
Announcing the decisions, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrews, said that opening offices in Edinburgh and Cardiff stemmed directly from the Belfast Agreement and the process of devolution under way in Britain.
"The new British-Irish Council, which is part of the Good Friday Agreement, will include representatives of the devolved institutions in Scotland and Wales as well as the two governments and the Northern Ireland Assembly," he said.
The council would be a vehicle for co-operation in a range of areas - transport, farming, health and education, and EU-related matters, he added.
"In view of this, it is imperative that the Government have available its own first-hand assessment of developments in Scotland and Wales, which the new consulates will provide."
Each of the consulate offices will liaise with its respective assembly, help improve trade and cultural links between Scotland, Wales and Ireland, and also provide services for the Irish community in both jurisdictions. Both consulates will have a consulate-general, a vice-consulate and supporting administrative staff. It is hoped they will be open by the end of the year.
The decision to extend Ireland's diplomatic network to Ankara reflects Turkey's growing political and economic importance.
"Turkey's relations with the European Union have assumed greater significance in recent times and it is essential that Ireland should intensify its contact," Mr Andrews said.
Tourist interest in Turkey has grown substantially in recent years and trade between Ireland and Turkey is now worth some £180 million annually.
Ireland is represented in Ankara via its Embassy in Rome. It is hoped the Embassy in Ankara will be open early next year.