Responding to Ireland’s decision to close “for economic reasons” its embassies in Iran and Vatican City, as well as its office of representation in East Timor, Federico Lombardi, S.J. (as Vatican spokesman) declared:
The Holy See takes note of the decision by Ireland to close its embassy in Rome to the Holy See. Of course, any State which has diplomatic relations with the Holy See is free to decide, according to its possibilities and its interests, whether to have an ambassador to the Holy See resident in Rome, or resident in another country. What is important are diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the States, and these are not at issue with regard to Ireland.
Vatican Information Service (4 November 2011)
If the Vatican thinks its diplomatic relations with Ireland are on good terms, it may want to consider what other nations were on Ireland’s list of closures. It may also want to consider the reaction of the Irish primate, Sean Brady:
“This decision seems to show little regard for the important role played by the Holy See in international relations and of the historic ties between the Irish people and the Holy See over many centuries,” said Cardinal Sean Brady.
The Vatican should also take notice of the official denials by the Prime Minister:
Ireland’s Prime Minister Enda Kenny rejected claims Friday that the government’s decision to close its embassy in the Vatican had anything to do with recent child abuse scandals involving the Catholic Church.
(same source)
-TurretinFan