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Ireland to close embassies to Vatican, Iran and E Timor | Ireland to close embassies to Vatican, Iran and E Timor |
(40 minutes later) | |
The Irish Republic has decided to close its embassies to the Vatican and two other nations on cost-saving grounds. | The Irish Republic has decided to close its embassies to the Vatican and two other nations on cost-saving grounds. |
It said the closure of the missions in Vatican City and also in Iran and East Timor would save about 1.25m euros (£1.1m; $1.7m) a year. | It said the closure of the missions in Vatican City and also in Iran and East Timor would save about 1.25m euros (£1.1m; $1.7m) a year. |
But Dublin stressed that the move was not related to a clerical child abuse row between Ireland and the Holy See. | But Dublin stressed that the move was not related to a clerical child abuse row between Ireland and the Holy See. |
In July, a report accused the Vatican of aiding child-abuse cover-ups in Cork - a claim denied by the Holy See. | In July, a report accused the Vatican of aiding child-abuse cover-ups in Cork - a claim denied by the Holy See. |
The Vatican later recalled its special envoy in Dublin to discuss the impact of the damning Cloyne Report. | |
'Profound disappointment' | 'Profound disappointment' |
"It is with the greatest regret and reluctance that the government has decided to close Ireland's (embassy) to the Holy See," said a statement from the Irish foreign ministry on Thursday. | "It is with the greatest regret and reluctance that the government has decided to close Ireland's (embassy) to the Holy See," said a statement from the Irish foreign ministry on Thursday. |
It added that Dublin "believes that Ireland's interests with the Holy See can be sufficiently represented by a non-resident ambassador". | It added that Dublin "believes that Ireland's interests with the Holy See can be sufficiently represented by a non-resident ambassador". |
Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore said diplomats at Ireland's Italian embassy would move into the villa currently used by its Vatican staff. | Irish Foreign Minister Eamon Gilmore said diplomats at Ireland's Italian embassy would move into the villa currently used by its Vatican staff. |
Mr Gilmore pointed out that the government had to implement cuts to meet targets set out in Ireland's economic rescue deal backed by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. | Mr Gilmore pointed out that the government had to implement cuts to meet targets set out in Ireland's economic rescue deal backed by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. |
Ireland - like many other nations - has maintained two diplomatic posts in Rome: one for the Holy See, the other for Italy. | Ireland - like many other nations - has maintained two diplomatic posts in Rome: one for the Holy See, the other for Italy. |
Predominantly Catholic Ireland has traditionally had close relations with the Vatican, where the embassy was opened in 1929. | Predominantly Catholic Ireland has traditionally had close relations with the Vatican, where the embassy was opened in 1929. |
Responding to the closure announcement, Cardinal Sean Brady, the ecclesiastical head of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, expressed his "profound disappointment". | Responding to the closure announcement, Cardinal Sean Brady, the ecclesiastical head of the Roman Catholic Church in Ireland, expressed his "profound disappointment". |
"I hope that today's decision will be revisited as soon as possible," he said in a statement. | "I hope that today's decision will be revisited as soon as possible," he said in a statement. |
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