Sir, – Paddy Agnew reports from Rome on how important the "Francis Show" has become during 2014 and speculates that the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin might have reopened its embassy because it wants to be in on "one of the most fascinating shows not just in town but on the planet" ("Year of the Pope: No wonder Iveagh House wanted to get back in on the action", December 27th).
Another reason why the Department of Foreign Affairs might want to get back on the Popemobile, Mr Agnew suggests, is because under Emma Madigan, the new Ambassador to the Holy See, “Ireland is far more likely to make common ground with Francis on issues such as combating poverty, reducing hunger and promoting sustainable development than it is on same-sex marriage, divorce and family planning”.
But do these reasons justify the expense of reopening an embassy to the Holy See in Rome? The Vatican, whose population consists primarily of celibate men, contributes little to Irish trade.
Are we keeping a house and staff in Rome for the sake of taking part in a “show”?
As for combating poverty, reducing hunger and promoting sustainable development, are we not doing so already, and might we not do so even better without the burden of running this unprofitable and unnecessary embassy?
What is hardest to understand is why the Irish people, many of whom have been hurt by the behaviour of this State’s officials, were not consulted in regard to the reopening of this embassy.
The embassy was closed once without any ill-effects to our nation. It can be closed again. Let’s not miss the opportunity. – Yours, etc,
DECLAN KELLY,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.