I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
Decisions relating to the size and scale of the Irish diplomatic network area matter for consideration by the Government. The Vatican is not a significant economic entity and the promotion of foreign trade has never been a reason for maintaining our Embassy to the Holy See. By comparison, our Embassy to the Italian Republic, also located in Rome, is highly active in the promotion and development of bilateral trade. In 2010, Italy was Ireland's tenth largest merchandise trading partner with merchandise trade valued at €3.5bn.
The main purpose of our Embassy to the Holy See is twofold. First, to maintain a permanent point of contact with the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, which continues to be the stated religious denomination of a substantial majority of Irish citizens and whose actions and policies have a direct impact and influence on Irish society.
Second, is to maintain ongoing relations with a significant global political entity which has diplomatic relations with 179 states. The Holy See has one of the largest diplomatic corps in the world, making the Vatican an important listening post and crossroads on a range of global social, political and international issues of interest to Ireland, including human rights, development, disarmament and conflict resolution.
The overall operating budget figures for the Embassy of the Holy See in 2010 was €455,820. This figure relates to local salary costs, travel, post and telecommunications, office machinery, office premises expenses and incidental expenses. In 2010, five staff were employed at the mission, comprising 3 locally employed staff and 2 diplomatic staff. It should be noted the Vatican does not accept the accreditation of an ambassador who is also the ambassador to the Italian Republic. Neither will it accept the accreditation of an embassy with the same address as the embassy to the Italian Republic. Regardless, therefore, as to whether or not Ireland maintains a dedicated Embassy to the Holy See situated in Rome, appointing our Ambassador to the Italian Republic to be, at the same time, our Embassy to the Holy See, is not an option.
The scale and presence of the Irish diplomatic network is currently being reviewed, along with all aspects of my Department's operations, as part of the Government's comprehensive review of expenditure. Given the current budgetary situation, and recognising the role that our diplomatic network is playing in Ireland's economic recovery, adjustments to our diplomatic network will continue to be strategically focused. In short, all our missions abroad must continue to deliver benefits for Ireland and must do so in a manner that represents good value for money.
Consideration of proposals to reduce our diplomatic network must balance any potential financial savings against the operational and reputational costs that would be incurred, including undermining our ability to influence the policies of the state in question and writing off investments made over years in the bilateral relationships with the countries in question. At a time when Ireland needs as much international support and cooperation as possible, it is important to get these decisions right.