The Irish government appears is a loggerheads with the Vatican this week after a report into clerical child abuse in Cork found that a high-ranking bishop and former aide to the pope lied about investigating the practice, and that the Holy See was "entirely unhelpful" in the matter.
The Cloyne Report, released last week, stated how former bishop of Cloyne, John Magee, who was private secretary to three popes, failed to report allegations of child abuse in the diocese, despite telling the Irish government he was, and had also refused to co-operate with a Garda inquiry into abuse in 2006.
The report also said Rome's decision to label a document on child sexual abuse as "unofficial" allowed individual bishops the "freedom to ignore" guidelines on protecting children.
The report states the Vatican's actions "can only be described as unsupportive in relation to the civil authorities" in relation to allegations made against 19 priests in the diocese between 1996 and 2000.
Relations between Ireland and the Vatican have subsequently deteriorated dramatically, with Taoiseach Enda Kenny describing the Vatican's attitude towards the reporting of abuse allegations as "absolutely disgraceful."
Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, has warned Pope Benedict's representative in Ireland, Papal Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Leanza, that he expects a "swift response" to questions raised by the report.
Mr. Kenny has also backed tough new laws that will compel priests to report pedophiles to gardai, even if they are told of the abuse in the confession box, this on the penalty of five years in prison.
"The law of the land should not be stopped by crozier or by collar," he said.
"I think this is absolutely disgraceful that the Vatican took the view that it did in respect of something that's as sensitive and as personal with such long-lasting difficulties for persons involved."
The hard line Irish government stance followed revelations in the report that Bishop Magee and the Vatican had encouraged the concealment of abuse allegations.
The bishop has not appeared in public since the report - which found him primarily responsible for the failure of the diocese to report clerical abuse allegations to gardai - was released.
Locals in his home of Mitchelstown have stated they believe the bishop has left for the U.S. because of the scandal.
Further fury was stirred by Monsignor Denis O'Callaghan, Cloyne's retired vicar general and child protection delegate, who said he "did not care" where Bishop Magee was, as he was entitled to his privacy.
Archbishop of Cashel and Emly, Dermot Clifford, who has taken over the running of the diocese, said it would be "helpful" for Bishop Magee to be available to answer questions.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore, said the Vatican's intervention in Irish affairs was "absolutely unacceptable."
"I want to know why this state, with which we have diplomatic relations, issued a communication, the effect of which was that very serious matter of the abuse of children in this country was not reported to the authorities," he said.
"The Vatican had conveyed a message that somehow it was alright to evade responsibility for reporting these matters to the Irish authorities."
Papal Nuncio Leanaza said he would bring a copy of the report to the Vatican "immediately."
"I reiterate the Catholic Church's total commitment to take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of children," he said.
Senior Vatican spokesman, Fr. Federico Lombardi, gave a "no comment" when asked about the Cloyne Report but did not rule out making a comment at a later date when the Holy See has fully assessed it.
