Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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111. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the closure of Ireland's resident Embassy to the Holy See has served Ireland's interests, particularly at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52608/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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In November 2011, the Government announced its decision to close Ireland's Embassy to the Holy See. This decision was driven by economic factors deriving from the need, at the time, to focus the modest resources of our diplomatic service on economic recovery. Following this decision, the Secretary General of my Department, Mr. David Cooney, was appointed non-resident Ambassador to the Holy See. Ambassador Cooney has travelled to the Holy See on numerous occasions since the announcement of the Embassy closure in November 2011 representing Ireland in meetings with Holy See officials and attending a range of functions.

I am satisfied that the current arrangement for Ireland's representation at the Holy See is the most effective possible in light of the resource constraints faced by my Department.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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112. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there are fewer than ten Irish officials in the Roman Curia at the Holy See, the number of these officials whom a person (details supplied) has met on his numerous visits to the Holy See; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52609/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Ambassador to the Holy See and the Secretary to the Embassy have met with a number of Curia officials on their visits to the Vatican, several of whom are Irish nationals. However, they have focused on meeting officials of direct relevance to the work of the Embassy and have not sought to meet with each and every Irish national working in the Curia.