Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit go dtí an Teach. This issue has been amplified in this House and elsewhere over a period of time. I note that the recent communication from the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade showed a direct saving from closing the Vatican Embassy of €400,000 and another saving from transferring the Italian Embassy. I recognise that in the current climate there is a need for all Departments to cut costs. I understand the embassy in the Vatican was one of the most cost-effective, with an ambassador, a Third Secretary and local administration assistance.

We should examine the salaries paid to ambassadors. I was very surprised to discover, many years ago, that some ambassadors are on a salary commensurate with the position of Secretary General of a Department and all others are paid at assistant secretary level. Given that most expenses are covered, perhaps these salary levels feed into costs and restrict our footprint.

I acknowledge that the Tánaiste stated, at the joint committee meeting and in the Seanad, that if a more cost-effective solution was found he would consider it. He mentioned co-location as a possibility and it would assist in changing the decision and reopening the embassy. Ireland Stand Up appeared before the joint committee today and made some very reasonable points. It would be a pity if the issue became political because it is not about that. Some people in my party, some people in Fine Gael and some people in the Labour Party feel strongly about it. The focus has come upon the latter because the Tánaiste is the leader of the Labour Party. Many people would like to see the situation revert to the status quo since 1929. We have a long-established relationship with the Vatican, which was the fourth mission established abroad following our independence. After the Lateran Treaty, when the Vatican state was established, Ireland was one of the first to establish an embassy. Up to that point, we had representation at the League of Nations, someone in London and someone in Washington. It was good for us because it provided recognition and, as a strongly Catholic country, it was appropriate and reasonable.

Last July, the Tánaiste stated:

Consideration of proposals to reduce our diplomatic network must balance any potential financial savings against the operational and reputational costs that would be incurred, including undermining our ability to influence the policies of the State in question and writing off investments made over years in the bilateral relationships with the countries in question. At a time when Ireland needs as much international support and co-operation as possible, it is important to get these decisions right.

The Minister of State and, I am sure, the Tánaiste will know Ireland has always placed considerable emphasis on pursuing its human rights agenda in other countries and at home. The Minister of State will acknowledge the Vatican was a great ally in that regard. Freedom of speech, assembly and religion, and measures against intolerance and discrimination, are all very much featured by the Vatican.

I would like us to consider the sub-division of the Villa Spada. I understand this can be done as I was there once. There are a number of entrances so there could be a separate entrance and, perhaps, a separate wing of the building dedicated to an embassy to the Vatican. There would be no rental cost and the moneys would already have been saved owing to the rental associated with the Italian embassy. There would be a small incremental cost attached. There is obviously a cost attached to having a non-resident ambassador. The incremental cost would be reasonable.

I would like to believe we could consider my proposal prior to the Eucharistic Congress. Many people will be attending the congress in Ireland in June. I hope the Vatican can be asked directly about co-location. It should be told that we would consider the option favourably and try to achieve agreement with it in that regard. I encourage the State to make this known. If it did, there would be a positive response from the Vatican to enable my proposal to be implemented. Many people feel very hurt over what has occurred. I would like to believe this proposal will be taken on board in the spirit in which I am making it. I hope it will lead to a resolution.