Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 51: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a sum in euro of the value of trade conducted between Ireland and the Holy See for 2010; if he will also provide the number of staff employed at the embassy in 2010; the operational cost for 2010; his views whether this cost and the amount of economic activity justify the continued operation of a full embassy at the Vatican in this time of austerity when Ireland needs to get the best value for money from the budget designed for operating embassies and trade missions abroad, especially in the context that our mission to the Holy See only serves that State and no other sovereign nation or international body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22006/11]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 52: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider the sale of the building used as the embassy of Ireland to the Holy See as a cost-saving measure and, following that, request the Vatican to recognise our ambassador to the Italian Republic, who also serves as our ambassador to Malta, Libya and San Marino and also Ireland's permanent representative to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development as our representative to the Holy See; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22007/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.

Decisions relating to the size and scale of the Irish diplomatic network area matter for consideration by the Government. The Vatican is not a significant economic entity and the promotion of foreign trade has never been a reason for maintaining our Embassy to the Holy See. By comparison, our Embassy to the Italian Republic, also located in Rome, is highly active in the promotion and development of bilateral trade. In 2010, Italy was Ireland's tenth largest merchandise trading partner with merchandise trade valued at €3.5bn.

The main purpose of our Embassy to the Holy See is twofold. First, to maintain a permanent point of contact with the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, which continues to be the stated religious denomination of a substantial majority of Irish citizens and whose actions and policies have a direct impact and influence on Irish society.

Second, is to maintain ongoing relations with a significant global political entity which has diplomatic relations with 179 states. The Holy See has one of the largest diplomatic corps in the world, making the Vatican an important listening post and crossroads on a range of global social, political and international issues of interest to Ireland, including human rights, development, disarmament and conflict resolution.

The overall operating budget figures for the Embassy of the Holy See in 2010 was €455,820. This figure relates to local salary costs, travel, post and telecommunications, office machinery, office premises expenses and incidental expenses. In 2010, five staff were employed at the Mission, comprising 3 locally employed staff and 2 diplomatic staff. It should be noted the Vatican does not accept the accreditation of an Ambassador who is also the Ambassador to the Italian Republic. Neither will it accept the accreditation of an Embassy with the same address as the Embassy to the Italian Republic. Regardless, therefore, as to whether or not Ireland maintains a dedicated Embassy to the Holy See situated in Rome, appointing our Ambassador to the Italian Republic to be, at the same time, our Embassy to the Holy See, is not an option.

The scale and presence of the Irish diplomatic network is currently being reviewed, along with all aspects of my Department's operations, as part of the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. Given the current budgetary situation, and recognising the role that our diplomatic network is playing in Ireland's economic recovery, adjustments to our diplomatic network will continue to be strategically focused. In short, all our Missions abroad must continue to deliver benefits for Ireland and must do so in a manner that represents good value for money.

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 cooperation as possible, it is important to get these decisions right.