His predecessor left under a cloud of controversy, so it was left to the new papal nuncio to Ireland to promise to do “everything in my power to solidify and strengthen the relations between the Holy See and Ireland”.

The Vatican has summoned its representative in Ireland to Rome for "consultations" on the Cloyne report into clerical child sex abuse.

A senior Fine Gael TD is calling for the Papal Nuncio to be expelled from the country.

Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Eamon Gilmore has today demanded a response from the Vatican to the findings of the Cloyne report.

Papal nuncio Archbishop Guiseppe Leanza has been asked to attend a meeting with the Foreign Affairs minister Micheál Martin at Iveagh house next week.