The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has said he is in no doubt that should Pope Benedict XVI wish to make a State visit to Ireland that it would be responded to positively by the Government.
Eamon Gilmore was addressing the Foreign Affairs Committee on the closure of embassies in the Vatican, Timor and Iran.
Committee Chairman Pat Breen welcomed the Tánaiste's remarks about a papal visit, saying with next year's Eucharistic Congress it would be an ideal opportunity for such an event.
Mr Gilmore said the decision to close the embassies was made against the backdrop of diminishing resources but that the decision was taken with reluctance.
Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghail said the decision to close the Vatican embassy was a mistake which had hurt many people.
