Diplomatic Representation

Tuesday, 5 November 2013

Questions (129)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

129. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the official visits made to Rome by a person (details supplied) since their appointment; with whom they have spoken in other parts of the Roman Curia; if the person met Irish officials in the Curia; the cultural initiatives that have been promoted by the Irish Government in the Roman Curia, the Cultural Institutions of the Holy See Vatican Library, Vatican Archives, Vatican Museums, Vatican Astronomical Observatories and the Academies of Science during this person's tenure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47033/13]

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Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Deputy will appreciate the necessity for Ambassadors to conduct official business with a degree of discretion, and for that reason I do not propose to provide a list of persons with whom the Ambassador has met since his appointment. However, I can assure the Deputy that I am satisfied with the range of the Ambassador's diplomatic contacts, both within the Secretariat of State and the Roman Curia more widely, in particular in the relevant Pontifical Councils and Congregations, including with Irish officials.

Ambassador Cooney has travelled to the Holy See on numerous occasions since the announcement of the Embassy closure in November 2011, the vast majority of which visits have taken place since he presented credentials in May 2012. In this context, the Ambassador has attended a full range of events, including the inauguration of Pope Francis to which he accompanied the President, and was present at the Pope's subsequent meeting with the Diplomatic Corps. During our Presidency earlier this year, for example, he hosted a meeting for European Union Heads of Mission at which the Holy See's Undersecretary for Relations with States was the guest of honour.

I am satisfied that the current arrangement for Ireland's representation at the Holy See is the most effective possible in light of the resource constraints faced by my Department.