Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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Question 179: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he will issue a formal invitation to Pope Benedict XVI to visit here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29768/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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As I have previously made clear in public statements, if the Government receives an indication that the Pope wishes to travel to Ireland, the Government will be more than ready to issue a formal invitation and to welcome him here. The willingness of the Government to invite Pope Benedict to Ireland has been made very clear by our Ambassador to the Holy See in the course of his meetings with Vatican officials.