Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the decision to close the Vatican Embassy will be reconsidered in view of the fact that Finland has an Embassy to the Holy See and there is a much smaller Roman Catholic population there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51934/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I understand that the Ambassador of Finland to the Holy See is appointed on a non-resident basis, similar to our own. As I have stated consistently, the decision to close Ireland’s resident Embassy to the Holy See will not be reversed in the immediate term. However, in the context of the budgetary situation, I will continue to review the deployment of our diplomatic resources overseas.

Any discussions with the Holy See on arrangements whereby it might be possible to re-establish a resident Embassy at a future date are best conducted in confidence and I do not intend to comment further on the matter.