asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, having regard to the vacancy of the position of the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the deletion from the Constitution of the recognition of the special position of the Catholic Church, he will propose that henceforth the position of Dean will be filled on the basis of seniority in accordance with the Diplomatic Relations and Immunities Act, 1967 and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Dean of Diplomatic Corps.
67.
The precedence of the Apostolic Nuncio as Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Ireland dates from the appointment of the first Apostolic Nuncio to Ireland in 1930. This is the practice in many European countries and is in conformity with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.