Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 157: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it is his intention to formally redesignate as opposed to temporarily designate the Villa Spada as the Irish Embassy to Italy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24846/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Following the decision to close the Embassy to the Holy See it has been decided to relocate both the offices of the Embassy to Italy and the residence of the Ambassador to Italy to the state-owned Villa Spada. It is expected that the transfer will be completed this year and that the full year rental savings, amounting to €445,000, will be realised in 2013. As I have previously stated in this House, the decision to close the resident Embassy to the Holy See will not be reversed in the immediate term. 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 and to consider re-establishment of a resident Embassy to the Holy See on a modest basis. However, I would not expect any such development to impact on the decision to locate our Embassy to Italy in the Villa Spada.