THE PAPAL NUNCIO should be expelled from Ireland following revelations of the Vatican’s interference in Ireland’s sovereign affairs as outline din the Cloyne Report yesterday, said chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party Charlie Flanagan.

Flanagan told RTÉ that if any foreign government “conspired” with Irish citizens to break the law it would have its ambassadors to Ireland expelled.

Similarly, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has demanded a response from Rome over its interference with investigations into child sexual abuse. He also demanded an explanation as to why the Church’s guidelines were described as a mere a “study document” by the Vatican.

Following a meeting today, the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Leanza, expressed sorrow and regret over the revelations contained in the Cloyne Report.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said the new law making it mandatory for those with information of child sexual abuse to alert the civil authorities will apply to everyone and under all circumstance – including priests who gain information through confession. Kenny described the attitude of the Vatican to child sexual abuse allegations in Cloyne as “absolutely disgraceful”.