Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

In accordance with normal Government procedure, what happened in this country for many years is that Governments of the party Deputy Martin now leads made decisions and threw money to the wind without bothering to consider the effects, the effectiveness or the consequences for the economy. That is why this Government is facing up to the challenge of dealing with an unprecedented economic mess that his party left behind. There is clearly a difference between the diplomatic relations conducted between this country and other countries and what happens in the case of the Vatican, which is essentially a listening post. Deputy Martin is aware that Mr. David Cooney, Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is an eminent public servant of this country and beyond reproach. He was appointed as a non-resident ambassador to the Vatican. He has been accepted by the Vatican and will be accredited in due course.

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