Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

I wish to raise two issues. I ask the Leader to provide time for debates on the jobs plan and the new agreement the Government has signed with the IMF. The major issue that appears to be taking up the time of the Government, when it should be focusing on job creation, is the closure of the embassy to the Holy See. The Tánaiste is being completely intransigent in not moving on the decision he took on economic grounds last November, while the Taoiseach and the Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, echo the views of Fine Gael backbenchers in seeking to have the embassy reopened as soon as possible. There is no clarity on what is happening and there seems to be a huge division among the Government parties. I, therefore, propose an amendment to the Order of Business that the Taoiseach be asked to come to the House to clearly outline the Government's policy on the closure of embassies, with particular reference to the embassy to the Holy See.

Ireland should have a foothold in terms of extensive diplomatic representation around the world. It is not just about economic policy. When Ireland opened the embassy to the Holy See, it was about securing the freedom and recognition of the existence of the State. When Mr. Frank Aiken, born 114 years ago last Monday, signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, it was not about economic policy. His objective was to ensure human rights around the globe and that nations would work together for their betterment. It is incredible, therefore, that the Labour Party would dictate its policy on diplomacy in that way, but its decision is being interpreted in many ways around the country. However, it was never about money.

The project in which Fine Gael is engaged to count the number of seals in the west will probably cost the same amount as is involved in the closure of the embassy to the Holy See, as I exposed yesterday. The Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Lucinda Creighton, are opposed to this decision, but I am sure Labour Party Members, including Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin and Senator Ivana Bacik, are in favour of it and the Tánaiste will not change his decision. Even Cuba and Russia have embassies to the Holy See in Rome. Why does Ireland not have an embassy there, given our history and culture and the diplomatic necessity for such an embassy? The decision was not thought through properly. There is confusion as to whether the decision was recommended by departmental officials or as part of the comprehensive spending review. We are to maintain embassies in Malawi and Lesotho. Why could the embassy in South Africa not deal with matters in Lesotho?

The decision is one made by the Fine Gael-Labour Party Government, not the troika. It appears we need to invite the Taoiseach to come to the House to explain exactly what is going on between the Government partners, why there is such division and a lack of focus on the job in hand, creating jobs in the economy.