Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I support the call to have the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade come to the House. I concur with Senator Cullinane regarding the suffering of the Palestinian people at the hands of Israel. Senators will recall it is not so long ago since Israel used forged passports for its citizens to carry out its murderous deeds. We were all outraged at the time but we still did not interfere with diplomatic relations as a result of that. There are many countries with whom we disagree on issues of human rights but we understand that the role of diplomacy is to keep dialogue going. I find it ironic, therefore, that we would consider closing the embassy at the Vatican, particularly when one considers the tradition and the history attached to that relationship. I fully echo what Senator Coghlan said when he mentioned Monsignor Flaherty. We are all so proud of that connection. I know from speaking to people they are absolutely astounded at the suggestion that this embassy would be closed. In my view it is disingenuous to put it in the same context as the closure of an embassy in Iran and also in East Timor. There has to be an underlying message in the manner in which it is being handled. If there is not an underlying message - let us be generous in our judgment - then it is perceived, first of all by the people here who will be deeply hurt, Catholic and non-Catholic, on the island and also our 70 million people of the Irish diaspora spread throughout the world who have received this cold message. How will they feel and how will they explain it to the people with whom they come into contact? There is a chance to correct this and a chance to remedy it because nobody will believe or accept that it is about saving money. There is a deeper underlying message. It is the wrong time for that message because it hits at our very sovereignty at this time.

I have had many opportunities and I availed of them to compliment the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade on different issues because he is a man for whom I have great respect and admiration. However, I am saddened, disappointed and shocked at what is happening in this case. I am glad to see some utterances even from the far side. I ask the Cathaoirleach and the Leader to please have the Minister come to the House as soon as possible and le cúnamh Dé, we can correct and remedy this before too much damage is done.