Ireland should consider re-opening its embassies in the Vatican and
Tehran according to the Labour TD for Clare, Michael McNamara.
In a statement issued on Sunday (13 October) he said, “In recognition
of the valiant efforts of Pope Francis to reform and modernise the
Papacy, Ireland should consider re-appointing a resident ambassador to
the Vatican.”
He went on to say that it remains to be seen whether the new Pope’s
emphasis on humility has trickled down to some members of the Irish
hierarchy and some Irish religious orders.
The TD suggested it was inconceivable that the Vatican, under the
leadership of Pope Francis, could ever again “behave as badly” as it did
in the cases of Irish children sexually abused by priests and
religious.
“I believe that a very significant page has been turned in the
history of the Papacy and we should recognise this by restoring normal
diplomatic relations,” he said.
His comments were made despite the fact that the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Eamon Gilmore, announced at the time that the decision to
close the embassy on 3 November 2011 was based on the need to save
money.
He denied from the outset that the move had anything to do with the
fallout from the Cloyne Report and other clerical abuse scandals.
In his statement, Michael McNamara claimed that the decisions to
close the embassies in the Vatican and Tehran were made at a time when
the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs was concerned with the
cost of Ireland’s representation abroad.
“He also refocused our embassies on the development of trade. In the
meantime, situations have evolved and I believe it is now appropriate
to reconnect with Iran, a country with huge potential for trade with
Ireland, and to restore the historic links between Ireland and the
Vatican,” he wrote.
The TD then welcomed Eamon Gilmore’s announcement last week (8
October) that he intends to review Ireland’s foreign policy and external
relations. The public consultation process, which will form part of
this review, will allow citizens to give their views on foreign affairs.
The
Tánaiste said, “Our foreign policy is a statement of who we are as a
people. It is the means by which we promote our values and pursue our
interests abroad. Through it, we pursue economic prosperity and promote
peace and security in Ireland and the wider world.”
He did not specifically mention reviewing the decision to close the Vatican embassy in his press release.
Information on how to make a submission will be made available on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.