Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Tánaiste as ucht an freagra sin a thabhairt dúinn, cé nach bhfuil mé ró-shásta leis an méid atá le rá aige. Ba mhaith liom díriú isteach ar Cheist Uimh. 1. I ask the Tánaiste to elaborate on the level of engagement and who participated in the engagement with the Vatican on the issue of the possible use of Villa Spada for both embassies. An honourable attempt has been made by people who are quite passionate on this issue to encourage the Tánaiste to use Villa Spada as a dual-purpose embassy. I am sure the Minister of State, Deputy Creighton, whose heart I believe is in the right place on this matter, has been encouraging the Tánaiste in that direction also. What was the nature of the communication? Was it through the Tánaiste, the Department or the Secretary General and acting ambassador that these contacts took place?

The Tánaiste has rightly said much about the need to continue to build Ireland's reputation abroad. We have already had a protracted debate on these matters and that debate will not go away because this issue will continue to be raised here. Will he now accept that the decision he made effectively to torpedo the country's relations with the most important diplomatic listening post in the country, far from advancing the entire business of Ireland's diplomatic initiatives and our reputation abroad has in fact done damage?

See this speech in context