In September 2001, following a positive response from the Holy See, the Episcopal Conference was invited to submit for recognition a set of Norms for the Permanent Diaconate. A draft
National Directory on the Permanent Diaconate was prepared by Father Kevin Doran and submitted to the Congregation for Catholic Education for approval in October 2002 under the title
The Permanent Diaconate: National Directory and Norms for Ireland. In July 2005, this directory and norms were approved for a six-year period. The way was now officially opened for the restoration of the Permanent Diaconate to Ireland.