Vatican embassy closure slammed

Galway Deputy Éamon Ó'Cuív has become the latest local representative to voice his opposition to the Government's decision to close its embassy in the Vatican.

The Fianna Fáil TD said removing Ireland's presence from "such an important diplomatic centre" for "extremely short-sighted, poorly thought out reasons" would be a mistake.

"This is a wrong choice diplomatically, politically and economically and it certainly will not add to Ireland's position in the world. The saving involved could have been found quite easily by making other adjustments within the €150 million overhead of the Tánaiste's Department. 

"The Tánaiste has justified closing the embassy because of our lack of trade with the Vatican. Since when should issues such as human rights, disarmament, environment, freedom of religion, democracy and world aid not be a cornerstone of Ireland's foreign policy? Does the Táiniste not agree that the Vatican is a major world player in relation to all of these issues?"