SEANAD REPORT:THE GOVERNMENT whip was called on by the Cathaoirleach and fellow Fine Gael member Paddy Burke to withdraw a comment that a member of the Opposition was jumping up and down like a jackass over the closure of the Irish embassy to the Vatican.

Paul Coghlan, who earlier accused Terry Leyden (FF) of making “another attempt at a phoney spat regarding the Vatican”, complied with the ruling of fellow Fine Gael member Paddy Burke.

The closure had been raised by Rónán Mullen (Ind), who said a former ambassador to Washington, Seán Donlon, exposed the bad judgment of Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore in the issue. There was now a serious question about Mr Gilmore’s credibility, Mr Mullen said.

When Mr Leyden claimed that Mr Donlon, former secretary general at the department of foreign affairs, had exposed the move as a personal, vindictive vendetta by Labour, Seanad deputy leader Ivana Bacik (Lab) interjected that that was not what Mr Donlon said.

Mr Leyden said he was stating his own view, adding that the decision to close the embassy must be debated in the House.

Mr Leyden said he would encourage Fine Gael TDs and Senators to continue their opposition to the closure. “You will win, you have to bring this section of the Government to heel,” he said.

Mr Coghlan had earlier accused Mr Leyden of making “a holy show” of the embassy issue.

“I am as big a supporter as anyone in either of these Houses at having an embassy for this country to the Vatican in Rome, but we should remember that in this case, there is no diminution whatsoever of ambassadorial service.”

Seanad leader Maurice Cummins said the new non-resident ambassador, David Cooney, would be ideally placed to inform the Government of any potential issues that might arise with the Vatican, thereby helping to head off any resulting difficulties. The Holy See had agreed to Mr Cooney’s nomination and he was expected to present his credentials to Pope Benedict in May.

The possibility of accommodating two ambassadors in one building was also being considered.