Our Canadian ambassador is having a $7 million house built for him at our expense!

[MollyMaguire]

A bloody laughing stock. As Yeats said, we have disgraced ourselves again.

Hopefully this will get coverage throughout the rest of the world. A state on the verge of bankruptcy spends this much on a embassy, madness It is becoming quite clear why we are in the financial position we are in today, the Government thought money grew on trees

[southwestkerry]

Glory be .... do ye all think it should be doing at someones else expense... grow up.

[dalywise]

Yes, you could be right there. Elements seem to be OTT brought about, one would assume, by the personal intervention of the ambassador and his wife. But, so I'm told, it has had a major positive impact on Ireland's credentials and in one particular sector, is giving us an inside track on potential investment.

Do you seriously think that in some boardroom in Canada, the lads are looking at tables on projected rates of return, profit forecasts, the cost bases and other logistics for a project in Ireland and that a grossly extravagent bling building will swing the issue to us.

Multinationals are more discerning when choosing how to maximise shareholder value.

[W..R.H]

Yes, you could be right there. Elements seem to be OTT brought about, one would assume, by the personal intervention of the ambassador and his wife. But, so I'm told, it has had a major positive impact on Ireland's credentials and in one particular sector, is giving us an inside track on potential investment.

Canada is similar to us then it seems, they too see extravagance as a good thing.

[ManOfReason]

What a load of crap.

Few Ambassadors are political animals simply because they seek a long career and being tied to a party makes them surplus on election change.

Unlike the US all Ambassadors are senior civil servants.

But they don't have to be career diplomats. I can think of one ex-politician, who worked closely with Canadians on a certain peace process and whose career options have been shrinking rapidly in recent years, who might be very glad of living in luxury in a foreign country for a while. That is how it works in this country.

[Sailor]

But they don't have to be career diplomats. I can think of one ex-politician, who worked closely with Canadians on a certain peace process and whose career options have been shrinking rapidly in recent years, who might be very glad of living in luxury in a foreign country for a while. That is how it works in this country.

Since all our ambassadors are career diplomats you are hardly justified in commenting "that is how it works in this country".

[Malbekh]

Do you seriously think that in some boardroom in Canada, the lads are looking at tables on projected rates of return, profit forecasts, the cost bases and other logistics for a project in Ireland and that a grossly extravagent bling building will swing the issue to us.

Multinationals are more discerning when choosing how to maximise shareholder value.

Yes, it's called corporation tax. But you still need to get them in the door...

[MollyMaguire]

This is a photo of the $7 million house. I'm sure you are pleased that your hard-earned money was so well spent!!

[dalywise]

Yes, it's called corporation tax. But you still need to get them in the door...

Well the door of the local Hilton Hotel would do just as well.

[gavinsblog]

I've posted the location of the house on Google Maps, with pics from Satellite and Streetview:

That Ottawa residence – The Story

The Streetview pics were clearly taken during the extensions and renovations. Lundy Construction was the contractor.