Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The election of Pope Francis has received considerable attention in the Irish and global media. I pay warm tribute to RTE for its excellent coverage of the papal election, which reflects the strong connection between many Irish people and the Vatican and the papacy. I congratulate Pope Francis and wish him every success. Approximately 18 months ago the Government decided to withdraw the Irish ambassador from the Vatican, despite the fact that the State had historically enjoyed diplomatic relations with the Vatican. The embassy was the classic manifestation of that relationship. We were told it that was a temporary budgetary arrangement and the Tánaiste indicated that the decision might be reviewed and reversed. We were also told that the only reasons the embassy had been removed from the Vatican were financial. The Finance Bill has now been sent to the Seanad. Will the Minister be proposing an amendment to the Bill to provide a subhead to restore the embassy to the Vatican?

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