I greatly welcome the Tánaiste's announcement earlier today with on the reopening of the embassy to the Vatican.

I thank the Senator for all the work he did to secure that decision.

Senator Paul Coghlan to continue, without interruption.

I mean that.

There is a knighthood in this for Senator Paul Coghlan.

I am always prepared to listen to Senator Darragh O'Brien. The embassy is one of our oldest diplomatic missions. It was established at the time of the foundation of the State. I welcome the announcement in respect of our embassies in Jakarta in Indonesia, Croatia and elsewhere. In fairness, many of us made representations to the Tánaiste in respect of this matter since a number of our embassies abroad were closed. I take the opportunity to recognise the quiet diplomacy engaged in by our excellent Secretary General and non-resident ambassador to the Vatican, Mr. David Cooney, and the papal nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Charles Brown, in the intervening period. The Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade and its Chairman, Deputy Pat Breen, should also be recognised for the work they have done on this matter.

They did a good job in Iran also.

The economy is recovering, thanks to the efforts of the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and others.

God bless the Senator.

Everything appears brighter than previously and people are more hopeful. It is timely, therefore, that the Irish Embassy to the Vatican is going to be reopened. I reiterate that I greatly welcome this development.

I hope some fruitful dialogue is taking place regarding that most important company, Liebherr. As has been stated previously, this company employs 670 people. Some 149 of those were taken on in the past two years. Liebherr also employs 40 apprentices. Senator Ned O'Sullivan and I come from the south west and we are both aware that the work done at the Liebherr plant is invaluable, particularly in view of the enormous spin-off to which it gives rise for the local economy and for the country as a whole. I hope that common sense will prevail and that the people in SIPTU will step back from the brink. It is most important that this happens.