Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming Mr. Brian O'Dwyer, and his colleague, Mr. Michael Carroll, from O'Dwyer and Bernstien, LLP, New York. I had dealings with Mr. O'Dwyer's father, the late Mr. Paul O'Dwyer, and the Cathaoirleach will be familiar with the contribution he made to County Mayo and the fact that a Cheshire Home and a forestry trust there are named in his honour. When I served as a Minister of State, I had the pleasure to be present in New York with the late Mr. Paul O'Dwyer when a memorial to another Irishman was unveiled. His work for Ireland should absolutely be recorded and I am delighted that his son, Brian, is here today. We sometimes forget the contribution made by certain individuals in very difficult times. Paul O'Dwyer was a friend of Ireland and was, in effect, its diplomatic mission in New York. He represented Irish people who lived there and also represented the interests of the country. During a very difficult period in our history, he was a man of peace and reconciliation. I thank his son, Brian, for being present in the House today.

I welcome the Government's decision to reopen the embassy to the Holy See. The decision to close it in the first instance was very bad but at least it is now being reversed. The Government has decided now that it was a major error to close this very important embassy.

The Holy See is a small country that recognised Ireland in very difficult times and sent the first ambassador in St. Patrick. That is a fact. We must recognise that. We accept the decision.

I now ask the Tánaiste to re-open the embassy in Tehran in the Islamic Republic of Iran. I was there as Minister of State with responsibility for trade and opened doors for many companies in that country. Those doors are being closed, which is a very bad move. I am asking the Tánaiste to reconsider opening the embassy in Tehran in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is a very pro-Irish country. I accept that embassies will open in Bangkok, Jakarta, Zagreb in Croatia and that new consulates will open in Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and Austin, Texas. We must bear in mind that we are a major country that needs to have representatives throughout the world.