Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

While the details have not been finalised it is estimated the annual cost of a Dublin based diplomatic representation to the Holy See will be under €25,000. This includes the cost of maintaining a small office in the Villa Spada compound, staffed on a part-time basis by a locally recruited secretary. It is intended, in principle, that the ambassador to the Holy See would travel to Rome once a month. No additional support staff have been allocated to him, although the third secretary of the embassy, formerly resident in Rome and now resident in Dublin, will continue to be accredited. No additional payment will be made to the Secretary General of the Department for carrying out his functions as ambassador to the Holy See.

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