Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 45: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the proposed closure of the Iranian Embassy. [40809/11]

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 46: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the closure of the Vatican Embassy. [40810/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 46 together.

The Government's decision of 3 November 2011 to close the Embassies to the Holy See and Tehran was motivated by the need to maximise the return from the diminishing resources available to my Department to operate the Diplomatic and Consular network. All administrative and logistical processes associated with the closures are under way. These include the termination of accommodation leases, return or disposal of furniture, secure dismantling of the ICT infrastructure and removal of equipment. It also includes the settlement of outstanding local staff issues. It is expected that the Embassy in the Holy See will close this month and that the Embassy in Tehran will close by the end of the first quarter in 2012. The Government plans to maintain diplomatic relations with both states through the appointment of non-resident Ambassadors. The agreement of the Vatican to the nomination of the Secretary General of my Department, Mr. David Cooney, as Ambassador to the Holy See was received recently. It is proposed to accredit an Ambassador in the region as Ambassador to Iran.