Cardinal Brady said, “I welcome the decision by the Government today to re-open Ireland’s embassy to the Holy See. Whilst the embassy has been closed since November 2011, it is important to recognise that diplomatic relations between Ireland and the Holy See were in existence and productive during this time. I wish to pay particular tribute for his work in this regard to Ireland’s non-resident Ambassador to the Holy See, Mr David Cooney.
“Today’s decision also reflects positively on the process of Church State Structured Dialogue.
The question of the re-opening of the embassy to the Holy See was one of the issues raised by our delegation at the meeting of that dialogue in Government Buildings last January.
“Based on our shared commitment to justice, peace, eradication of poverty, international development, and the protection of the environment, I now look forward to on-going and fruitful co-operation between Ireland and the Holy See for the common good.”