Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 81: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position on the closure of the embassy in the Vatican and its impact [19478/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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In November 2011, the Government announced its decision to close Ireland's resident Embassy to the Holy See, along with our Embassy in Tehran and our Mission in Timor Lester. This decision, taken with the greatest regret and reluctance, was driven by economic factors deriving from our need to cut public expenditure and focus the modest resources of our diplomatic service on economic recovery. The choice of Missions for closure followed a comprehensive review of the diplomatic network, in which particular weight was given to the economic return from Missions, and their role in rebuilding Ireland's reputation abroad.

As regards the Holy See, the logic for closure was based on the fact that the Embassy is not involved in consular services or trade promotion and that essential issues of Church-State relations could be handled relatively well by a non-resident Ambassador.

This decision will not be reversed in the immediate term. The unavoidable budget cuts and reduction in staff numbers which necessitated the closure are still in effect and my Department has neither the staff nor the financial resources to reverse the mission closures decided upon by the Government last November.

However, as the economic situation improves and in the context of the regular review of our diplomatic network, it may be possible to revisit the matter at some time in the future.