Coghlan warmly welcomes reopening of Vatican embassy

Fine Gael Kerry Senator and Seanad Chief Whip, Paul Coghlan, has today (Tuesday) warmly welcomed the Government’s decision to reopen the Irish embassy to the Holy See. Senator Coghlan was speaking during the Order of Business in the Seanad this afternoon.

The decision to reopen the Vatican embassy was taken as part of an expansion of Ireland’s embassy network to a number of high growth regions, including Thailand and Indonesia.

“I greatly welcome the announcement of the reopening of the embassy to the Holy See, which in my view is one of our most important diplomatic posts. The mission to the Holy See is one of Ireland’s oldest embassies, and indeed it was among the first diplomatic missions to be opened by the Irish State.

“Great credit is due to the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs and non-resident Ambassador to the Vatican, David Cooney, and Archbishop Charles Brown, the Papal Nuncio, for their successful and quiet diplomacy. I would also like to commend Deputy Pat Breen, Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, for his work on progressing this issue.

“In keeping with the Government’s view that efficiencies must be delivered, the reopened embassy to the Holy See will be a one person mission. Its re-establishment will ensure we have a direct line to the Vatican and the new administration of Pope Francis.

“I would also like to welcome the opening of a number of other new embassies in high growth areas, such as Indonesia and Thailand, which will help the Government’s trade and development programme.”

ENDS