Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Ba mhaith liom mo bhuíochas a ghabháil leis an Leas-Cheann Comhairle as ucht an seans a thabhairt dom an ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Cannon, to the House to deal with this matter. He will be aware that on 3 November, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade announced the Government's decision to close three Irish embassies, namely, the embassy in Iran, the embassy in Timor-Leste and the embassy to the Vatican. The reason given for this initiative was cost savings and Members now are aware the price tag placed on the closure of the Irish Embassy to the Vatican was a saving of €455,000, which comprised the cost of running that embassy in 2010.

Fianna Fáil has made it clear from the outset that it is opposed to the closure of the Irish Embassy to the Vatican because of the strong historical links with that post and its position as an important listening post for international affairs and because it is the religious centre point for the Catholic faith. The Irish Embassy to the Vatican represents one of Ireland's oldest diplomatic ties, with a diplomatic presence to the Holy See being established as long ago as 1929, when the Vatican State itself was founded. This embassy is being closed at a time when other countries, such as Russia, the United Kingdom and Australia are building up their diplomatic links with the Holy See.

The Tánaiste denied that the decision to close the embassy was a consequence of recent strained diplomatic relations and stated that the key consideration obviously was where savings could be made. He went on to state "I was anxious to retain resident missions in countries where there is a clear economic or trade interest". Therefore, it appears as though the foreign policy being pursued by the Government is founded solely on the basis of economic advantage rather than on broader diplomatic goals or on shared values. It is interesting that as I speak, a detailed debate is under way in one of the committees on the matter of Ireland's election-----

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I must bring to the Deputy's attention that the issue being discussed is the need to review the decision to combine the general allocation model and language support in primary schools.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I apologise but that is not what I was notified of. Obviously, there is a point of confusion.

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I am here to respond to the education topic.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State is present to respond to the education issue.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I have been advised that I am here to deal with the Vatican issue. I am afraid I am in the Acting Chairman's hands on that matter.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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The Deputy is absolved.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State does not have to hand a response to that matter.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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In that case, may I raise this matter at another point? Will I be given another opportunity to do so?

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I certainly will ask.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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My apologies but certainly this issue is what I was informed of.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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If the Deputy wishes, he may revert and talk about the other issue.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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No, I am not in a position to start the other one. I will be at a later date.

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Very well. I will advise the Ceann Comhairle.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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While I will give way to the next speaker, will I have the opportunity to revert in respect of these two matters given there was a communications breakdown?

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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I will communicate it to the Ceann Comhairle's office and will request that this be allowed.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Excellent. Thank you, Acting Chairman.