Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

Members have engaged a number of times in comprehensive discussions in the Chamber on the Irish embassy to the Holy See, including the occasion on which the Tánaiste attended. To respond to the question asked by Senator Rónán Mullen and others, the Holy See has clear requirements in respect of the separation of embassies to the Holy See from those to Italy. According to these requirements, the same person is not permitted to be simultaneously accredited as ambassador to the Holy See and Italy. Neither can any member of the staff of the embassy to the Holy See be accredited to Italy at the same time. The Holy See insists on an ambassador to the Holy See maintaining a separate residence from that of his or her country's ambassador to Italy. Embassy offices must operate from separate buildings and addresses but some flexibility is developing in respect of their proximity. All such possibilities will be fully explored in the context of the ongoing review of the diplomatic network. That is the position as matters stand.

Our ambassador designate to the Holy See, Mr. Cooney, has travelled to Rome on at least two occasions since his nomination in order to attend meetings with Vatican officials. In the context of the fact that representatives from other countries are having meetings in the Vatican, our ambassador will be accredited in May. He will represent the State at the consistory of cardinals on Saturday next. On his previous visit he attended the ordination of the incoming papal nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Charles Brown. There is ongoing contact between our ambassador designate and the Holy See. The Government will continue to review Ireland's diplomatic network, particularly as the financial situation improves.