We use Google Analytics to see which pages are read and how the site is used, so we know what to improve. This only runs if you accept. See our privacy notice for details.

Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Diplomatic links with the Holy See

Summary

Michael Healy-Rae calls for restoration of Ireland’s links with the Holy See as a gesture to Pope Francis; the Minister says relations remain normal and the Secretary General remains an accredited ambassador.

I am sure the Pope will be delighted to hear the good wishes coming from this House. I too wish the new Pope well. The Tánaiste is in Atlanta, Georgia, but I am sure he would want to send the Pope his best wishes too. As Deputy Martin stated, our links to the Holy See should be restored as a matter of urgency. They should never have been cut and their severance was a disgraceful decision at the time. As a gesture to the new Pope, we should make a stand on that here.

Comment on this

The links to the Holy See have not been broken, severed or cut. The Secretary General at the Department of Foreign Affairs is a fully accredited ambassador to the Holy See. The issue is that he is no longer resident in Rome. However, he is fully accredited and there are normal and good relationships with the Holy See.

On the issue of mobility aids, everybody in this House would share the Deputy's anxiety that every assistance possible be given to persons with disabilities. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Sullivan, has told me there is a contingency fund of €2 million available for this, so perhaps if the Deputy submitted a request to the appropriate Minister, some of that could be allocated to his part of the world.

Comment on this