Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise to Senator Norris that I was not present to hear him speak, as I got waylaid, but I am sure he performed wonderfully, as ever. I believe this is a wonderful idea. It was proper and appropriate that the CPP was unanimous when he put the matter to it. We all agreed that this Pope is one of the great popes of our time, certainly, perhaps of all time. While that is yet to be judged, as he is only 11 months in office, already he has brought about an amazing transformation.

That he comes from Argentina is very important for us here in Ireland. If Senator Norris has already referred to this, he will forgive me, but that country is the largest non-English speaking segment of the Irish diaspora and the fifth largest overall. The Argentinian navy was founded by a Mayo man, Admiral Brown, and, as I have mentioned in the House before, its rail system was founded by John Coghlan, an ancestor of mine. There is a borough or district, just as Sandymount or Donnybrook is a district, known as Coghlan, and a railway station is named after him. I have not seen it, by the way, but close relatives of mine have visited and brought me back wonderful photographs. The Pope is of Italian parents and I believe he has a wonderful respect for Ireland. This invitation is tremendously important and, please God, it is something that will be pursued and taken up. We should also give credit to his representative here in Ireland, the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, who might be connected with Admiral Brown, for all we know. In any case, I know he has great time for the Irish-Argentinian connection.

The Pope has done a lot to date. In particular, he appointed the eight cardinals to advise him on reformation and reorganisation - the C8, as they are known. They have been dealing with many things which gave us trouble, shall we say, in the recent past. I understand that, on this very day in Rome, they are dealing with the Institute for the Works of Religion, more commonly known as the Vatican Bank. Unfortunately, while there might have been good men at the head of it, they might not have known what the minions were up to. In any event, the council of eight cardinals is dealing with that today in Rome. This Pope, in getting these people together, and in all he is doing and wants to do, and all that, hopefully, he will have the time and energy to deal with, is doing very important work.

This is a wonderful idea from Senator Norris, very ably seconded by Senator Barrett. We all think well of it and I believe it will be very good for this House and for the country. It has my party's fullest support.