EMBASSY STAFF HAVE been caught speeding 22 times in the past three years – but diplomatic immunity meant they avoided any penalties.

Data released under Freedom of Information shows that members of the Iraqi diplomatic mission based in Ireland availed of diplomatic immunity four times in avoiding speeding charges in 2024 and 2025.

Georgian officials were caught speeding twice in 2024, and once again last year, with diplomatic immunity coming into play.

Italian diplomatic staff were also found to have been speeding, contrary to Section 47 of the Road Traffic Act, once in 2023 and again in 2024.

Among the countries to have had staff caught speeding once between 2023 and 2025 inclusive were the US, Ukraine, Israel, Iran and Colombia.

DFA: diplomats must respect the laws

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are currently 71 resident Diplomatic Missions in Ireland with approximately 369 accredited diplomatic staff.

Privileges and immunities of accredited diplomatic staff in Ireland are governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations 1961, as incorporated into Irish law by the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act 1967.

In practice that means a diplomatic agent will not be liable to any form of arrest or detention, while Article 31 provides that a diplomatic agent can enjoy immunity from the criminal jurisdiction of the receiving State. However, diplomatic immunity can be expressly waived by a sending State.

According to a Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson: “Notwithstanding this, and without prejudice to their privileges and immunities, under Article 41 of the VCDR it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State.

“The Department accordingly expects all diplomatic agents duly accredited here, to respect Irish laws and regulations, as indeed, we expect our own diplomatic staff serving abroad to respect the laws and regulations of the receiving State.

“Where alleged offences are brought to the attention of the Department, embassies are reminded of their Article 41 obligations and of the need to respect Ireland’s laws and regulations including our road traffic laws and applicable speed limits at all times.”

Two unnamed offences

The FOI release by the Department also refers to two other unspecified offences – both of which occurred last year – in which it refused to reveal either the type of offence or the diplomatic mission involved.

The DFA spokesperson said the offences refer to records “which, if released, could reasonably be expected to adversely affect the international relations of the State by introducing doubts about the ability of the State to maintain confidential diplomatic communications.”

The spokesperson said the Department is responsible for managing relations between Ireland and its international partners, “in a complex and diverse political environment, and the need to ensure that this Department can effectively conduct its functions and engage with international partners in the future.”