The Department of Foreign Affairs has advised Irish citizens in Ethiopia to leave the country immediately.
International concern has been increasing due to the escalating war in Ethiopia as Tigrayan rebels edge closer to the capital Addis Ababa.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney said that around 80 Irish citizens in Ethiopia have been advised it would be prudent to leave the country due to an escalation in the political situation in the conflict-ridden country.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government has informed Ireland's embassy in Addis Ababa that four of the six Irish diplomats serving at the embassy must leave the country within one week.
Ireland's ambassador and one other diplomat have been permitted to stay.
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The Ethiopian authorities indicated that the decision to scale-down the size of Ireland's embassy in Addis Ababa is due to the positions Ireland has articulated internationally, including at the United Nations Security Council, on the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia.
Responding to the news, Minister Coveney said he deeply regretted the decision by the government of Ethiopia and the Ethiopian government was targeting Ireland in relation to its commentary.
"Ireland has had a diplomatic presence in Ethiopia since 1994, working in partnership with the government and people of Ethiopia to support the development of their country.
"That Ethiopia has been the largest recipient of Irish Aid funds in the last five years is a demonstration of Ireland's deep commitment to the country.
"Our engagement internationally on Ethiopia, including at the Security Council, has been consistent with the positions and statements made by the European Union, including by the EU High Representative/Vice President Josep Borrell," Minister Coveney said.
He confirmed that the Irish Embassy in Addis Ababa remains open, "with the team continuing to discharge their responsibilities, including in relation to the international organisations to which we are accredited, including the African Union and IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development)".
He said Ireland fully supports the role of the African Union in seeking a peaceful solution to the conflict, including through the work of its special envoy, former Nigerian president Olesegun Obasanjo.
"We are committed to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ethiopia," he said.
Minister Coveney warned that although the embassy will continue to provide consular services, the reduction of staff numbers there will have an impact.
"In the context of the deteriorating security situation in Ethiopia, the focus of the Embassy will be the provision of consular services, although the reduction of our diplomatic staff numbers by two thirds will inevitably affect our ability to fully provide such services," he said.
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Minister Coveney also advised against travel to Ethiopia and he appealed to Irish citizens to leave the country immediately.
"We recommend against all travel to Ethiopia and Irish citizens in Ethiopia should leave the country by commercial means immediately."
The minister added that he hoped the decision of the government of Ethiopia would be temporary, so that staff at the Embassy can return to carrying out their duties in the country as soon as possible.
"We will maintain our solidarity with the people of Ethiopia as the humanitarian crisis worsens.
"In the coming weeks, Irish Aid will disburse €16 million to humanitarian partners operating in Ethiopia including UN OCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), UNICEF, UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and the International Rescue Committee," he added.
