Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 May 2014
38. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the visit to Rome by An Taoiseach and his conversation with Pope Francis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19962/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra39. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the issue of visiting Northern Ireland during any visit to the island of Ireland was raised with Pope Francis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19963/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra40. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the possibility of a visit by Pope Francis was raised with Catholic Primate, Cardinal Brady, during the Taoiseach's visit to Rome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19964/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra41. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the possibility of Pope Francis visiting Northern Ireland was raised when the Taoiseach spoke to Cardinal Brady in Rome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19965/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 to 41, inclusive, together.
The Taoiseach represented the Government at the canonisation of Saints John XXIII and John Paul II in Rome on Sunday 27 April. He had the opportunity to have an exchange with Pope Francis after the ceremony, during which he conveyed to him that were Pope Francis to accept an invitation to visit Ireland from the Catholic bishops, such a visit would have the full support of the Government of Ireland. It is the hope of the Government that if Pope Francis were to visit to Ireland, that he would also travel to Northern Ireland. The Taoiseach and the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All-Ireland, Cardinal Sean Brady, had the opportunity to discuss their shared hope that the Pope would visit Ireland at the Pontifical Irish College.
