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EAMON GILMORE HAS SAID said that the decision to reopen an embassy in the Vatican was not about the election of the new Pope, more about the issues he is pursuing.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs told reporters that the new scaled-back presence in the Holy See was decided upon in large part due to how forceful Pope Francis has been in his statements on tackling worldwide poverty and hunger.
“It is about the policy as opposed to the person, ” Gilmore explained.
I have been struck by very strong statements made by Pope Francis about how tackling hunger and world poverty is a priority for him. It is something I feel very strongly about and it is very much part of Irish foreign policy. It is something that we can work with the Vatican on and that is why I suggested to the Government that we open a one person mission at the Vatican.
The representation in the Vatican will consist of just one person who will hold a position at “ambassador level” and will operate out of a “modest office as close to the Vatican as possible”, according to Gilmore.
The announcement to reopen the embassy was made today, over two years after the previous mission was closed, and came as the Government also outlined plans to bring Irish embassies to a number of other capital cities.
The Government has said that the new missions will not lead to any additional cost for the taxpayer but will be paid for from within the existing foreign affairs budget.
When it was announced in November 2011 that the Vatican embassy was to close, cost saving was put forward as the motivation.
‘I have honoured that’
The closure of the Vatican embassy was criticised by a number of Catholic groups but Gilmore has insisted this had no bearing on the decision to reopen it.
“The answer I gave to everyone is that I would reconsider. When we were looking at missions, I would look at the issue of the Vatican. I have honoured that. There was no pressure on me from either within Government or outside Government,” he said.
The Tánaiste said that the new Vatican mission is part of a wider plan to “promote trade and economic diplomacy”.
“It is also about the promotion of Irish values. As a country we have been leading on the whole agenda of tackling hunger and world poverty. This is top of the agenda now at the United Nations,” he said.
The current secretary general of the Department of Foreign Affairs David Cooney has been assigned to Vatican in lieu of of a permanent ambassador. Cooney is retiring in April and and his successor is expect to be announced shortly.
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Leading World Statesman Eamon Gilmore hahahahahaha, today said that Ireland is leading the world in tackling hunger and poverty hahahahahahaha. Meanwhile in Ireland itself poverty is to be found in every town while thousands and thousands of it’s youngest and brightest have had to leave for foreign shores to obtain employment and public services are cut to the minimum. Pope Francis is very impressed.
Go back to scotland where your ancestors are from mr Campbell.
Happy Gilmore
Once upon a time there was a Plonker called Happy who made a wish that one day he would become a Politician so he joined a left wing party called The Labor Party, and in no time at all became Party leader. Then one day FF took there eye off the ball to say the least, So Happy took the opportunity to jump into bed with Edna or Enda (Not Sure) and the the right wing lads, And with his first pay cheque went to the nearest hardware store and bought a roll of bailing twine, and gave it to his puppeteer Edna or Enda (still not sure) strings were pulled and Happy started to dance to the FG tune much to the displeasure of some not all of his party members, and after 2 and a half years of dancing to the FG Austerity tune his party rating has falling to 8% in the Red C Poll and falling. The question is did Happy want to become a Politician or did he watch to many reruns of Pinocchio (maybe he should have made a wish to become a real man first )
Its not about new policies OR the new pope eamonn, be honest for once in your two faced life. Its about courting the God fearing grey vote prior to the local elections who are still reeling following the abortion legislation.
Thinks its more to do with Enda say its going to open and Eamon bending his neck again and agreeing like a poodle.
@ Kerry – you nailed it! Labour members will be livid.
Were jammin. You are probably 95% right.. Its all about PR and i think they feel its good PR to associate themselves with Pope F who is pretty darn cool for a Pope..
I’m loving Gilmore’s statement about how Pope Francis feels about hunger and poverty because he feels strongly about those issues too. He does in his sh**e!! The people of his own country are suffering from poverty issues and hunger and he behaves as if he doesn’t care most of the time.
What if Rome told you to fu*k off Eamon? Sorry we turned your embassy into an Irish themed bar.
Gilmore says the reopening is about “promoting trade and economic diplomacy”…with the VATICAN??!!
LOL. with just 2,000 boys in dresses. That is a lot of trade all right, but in what???
Gilmore caving in to blueshirt fascists seeking a few extra votes in local elections. Labour have no hope of benefiting from this move. Closing the Vatican Embassy was the only descent thing he ever did. Hang your head in shame you absolute tosser!
Iys about giving a mate of yours a well paid well pensioned job at our expense Gilmore
It’s about jobs for the boys. Along with the other new ones. How much to run these.
what is the point of tackling hunger and world poverty if you cover up abuse ?
I’m happy to see tax payers money being out to good use for a change. It’s times like this that people had best remember that we are a proud Catholic country.
Ireland is not and never has been a “catholic” country.
Hi Macy, Finally someone with reason. Yes we are a Catholic Country, we should be proud of our heritage, of a faith that Thousands died for, gave their life for and defended. Looking at the comments made my some on this website I think Cromwell would be proud. We had a ridiculous situation that Iran has an embassy to the Vatican, Saudi Arabia has.. and we closed ours. The vast majority of this Country is Catholic. The Catholic Church operates thousands of Charities, Look at the Capuchin Day Centre, http://www.thejournal.ie/capuchin-day-centre-ceo-1243488-Dec2013/
So thankfully popular opinion has made it to the government, because many many of us were not going to stand for them trampling over our faith, our beliefs. We are Irish, We are Catholic, we Stand proud behind our Faith.
Are you being sarcastic Darth?
It is a Roman Catholic country ruled from Roma
The church lost the power to rule us 20/30 years ago thankfully.
proud catholic country me arse ,
Ireland is a secular state. Our true Irish heritage would in fact be pagan, owing to our rich celtic history, language, music etc.
@ Darth, Pagan once but catholic from the time of St.Patrick.
St Patrick was a Christian,not a catholic,cherished equally by Protestants in the North,read your history
@ Alex – who is the “we”? You fail to acknowledge that Ireland has many religious believers who are not Catholics and an even larger grouping of people who have no religious beliefs whatsoever. You have displayed a breathtaking arrogance and ignorance of a typical true Irish Catholic.
Eamon id say Pope Francis couldn’t care less about the Irish embassy.
As long as you keep your lying ass outta his town he will be happy out…
Nice little earner for some arse licking labour lackey. All about jobs for the boys.
Economic circumstances are no better now than when the decision to close the embassy was taken. There was never an economic reason for having a papal embassy, this is all for the optics. If our economic circumstances are improving, why isn’t the emergency legislation being lifted and salaries and pensions restored. It’s high time for Gilmore to put his eye on domestic issues and lose the blinkers!
Mr Campbell ,you are absolutely right
jobs for the boys Eamonn
it seems as though this government have plenty of money floating around for the rich , politicans , sentors , advisors Senior civil servants , boards members, consultants , accountants , lawyers , developers , heads of Quangoes etc ,
but when it comes to the poor , sick , old , disabled , youth etc , its all cuts cuts cuts .
Sham of a country
Ireland the home of WHITE COLLAR CRIME
if Al capone where alive he would get a a job in Dail eireann no problem
That is great. I would like to know what those new policys are. Maybe lowering the cost of electricity for the elderly and alone, who are keeping the Vatican shareholders in luxury. Or what about donating Vatican owned Land to the young unemployed Irish who cannot afford the price of a Ryanair flight to God knows where. The Israeli Kibbutz system could give a few pointers on how to start a commune for the young Irish who want to live in their own country. Or is this new found Vaticanism a come back so the unholy Roaming ‘princes’ can continue to live off the fat of the Land. I know of a priest who owns a farm of Land in Kilmallock Co. Limerick. Foley is his name. Would he like to be the first to donate his farm for the good of the people.
I’ll just step outside and see if there is a blue moon……Nope….nice try Patricia.Maybe someday…Big green thumb from me for effort!!!
This is more important than say a few hospital beds ,or maybe a new ambulance ? The catholic church has lied true its teeth during the ongoing abuse investigation, Why give them an official channel at a cost to the taxpayer.The arse licking brigade getting their way as usual.
Listening to Ronan Mullin in the Seanad was nauseating. If he could mount a crozier he would.
The new Vatican embassy is all about gaining votes in the local and general elections Mr. Gilmore
Is murdering a priest classed as white collar crime??
Gilmore pretending to care about the hungry thats a new one on me .Gilmore only looks after himself and his family and friends .Thank God his time is running out.
Unfortunately yes.I live in hope that one day it will be legal.
Paul Mc he has a long way to go 123 weeks he is not half way through his term yet( mores the pity)
@ Peter Grimes I am praying for some divine intervention.
Could we not get rid of Gilmore now and not give him the chance to rake in more pension and salary. That’s all he’s doing and that’s his only interest. It’s written right across his bloated face.
Gimpmore’s lips are moving – lies are spewing forth. If he imagines this will help at the local elections he is mistaken.
Better in than out…….it should be seen as giving the RC Church any credibility
It is not about the new pope, just that the old one is gone.
I was going to post an anti-Gilmore comment, the little p**** , but there’s no need now.
I was going to post an anti-Gilmore comment, the little p**** , but there’s no need now.
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