Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 December 2013
111. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the closure of Ireland's resident Embassy to the Holy See has served Ireland's interests, particularly at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52608/13]
View answerIn November 2011, the Government announced its decision to close Ireland's Embassy to the Holy See. This decision was driven by economic factors deriving from the need, at the time, to focus the modest resources of our diplomatic service on economic recovery. Following this decision, the Secretary General of my Department, Mr. David Cooney, was appointed non-resident Ambassador to the Holy See. Ambassador Cooney has travelled to the Holy See on numerous occasions since the announcement of the Embassy closure in November 2011 representing Ireland in meetings with Holy See officials and attending a range of functions.
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.
