asked the Taoiseach if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar of gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state: (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
Written Answers. - Attendances at Conferences.
There would be a disproportionate effort in time and money involved in compiling the information sought by the Deputy, and I do not consider that this would be justified.
311.
asked the Minister for Energy if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to-date; and if he will state: (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
The production of the detailed information sought by the Deputy would involve excessive time and expense which I would not regard as justifiable in the circumstances. The ongoing work of my Department gives rise to the attendance of officers, from time to time, at relevant international conferences, seminars and meetings of experts. It is the usual practice for officers to provide reports on conferences and so on, attended. Such reports would be confidential and for internal use only.
312.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state: (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
One of my Department's more important functions is to service international conferences and seminars. Such meetings are attended by officers of my Department—stationed both at home and abroad—many times each day for most of the year at locations throughout the world.
No special records are kept of attendances at meetings which would enable me to answer the very detailed question put down by the Deputy. I consider that to keep detailed records of this nature would be an unwarranted administrative expense. I regret, therefore, that I cannot provide the information the Deputy has requested as the time and expense involved in compiling it would be excessive.
313.
asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
The time and expense involved in compiling the information requested by the Deputy would not be justified.
Officers of my Department and, where necessary, experts from the appropriate State agencies, attend relevant international conferences, seminars and meetings of experts as part of their normal day-to-day responsibilities. The necessity for this arises from the country's membership of international organisations and particularly the EEC. Reports of the proceedings of such meetings are invariably made for the confidential use of the Department.
314.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to-date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
There were a considerable number of international meetings attended during the specified years, particularly in relation to EEC and Council of Europe matters and to compile the information requested by the Deputy would involve a very substantial amount of staff time and effort and I do not consider that that would be justified.
315.
asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to-date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
There would be a disproportionate effort in time and expense involved in compiling the information sought by the Deputy and I do not consider that this would be justifiable.
316.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
It would not be possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy without the expenditure of an inordinate amount of official time and I do not consider that this would be justified.
317.
asked the Minister for Labour if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
I believe that the cost to the Exchequer of compiling the information sought would be entirely disproportionate to the value of the information.
318.
asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
I am satisfied that the expenditure in time and money which would be involved in compiling the information sought by the Deputy would be disproportionate to the results achieved and would not be justified.
319.
asked the Minister for Education if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
A statement of the information requested is not readily available and the expenditure of official time which would be involved in its compilation would in the case of my Department be excessive.
320.
asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
The activities of my Department necessitate regular and very frequent attendance at international conferences and so on, which are mainly of an intergovernmental nature, by staff of my Department and occasionally persons sponsored by my Department. The information sought by the Deputy in respect of such attendance is not readily available. It would entail an inordinate amount of time, involving diversion of staff from normal duties, to compile it and I do not consider that the work and expense involved would be justified.
321.
asked the Minister for the Gaeltacht if she will indicate if any member of her Department or any person sponsored by her Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if she will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from her Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by her Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to her Department for each conference, (6) if she received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if she will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if she will give the rank and name of the representatives from her Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by her Department from outside bodies and agencies.
Chuir Rúnaí Cúnta na Roinne, thar ceann an Aire, tús le Comhdháil maidir le Forbairt Réigiúnach agus Pleanáil Teanga i nGaillimh ar an 9 Márta 1978 agus d'íoc an Roinn costais £12.34 leis. Ní raibh aon ócáid eile sa tréimhse a luaitear inar fhreastail aon duine ón Roinn nó le cabhair na Roinne ar aon chomhthionól idirnáisiúnta.
322.
asked the Minister for Health if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
There would be a disproportionate effort in time and money involved in compiling the information sought by the Deputy, and I do not consider that this would be justified.
323.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
I am not satisfied that the time and expense involved in compiling the information requested by the Deputy would be warranted.
324.
asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
I am satisfied that the preparation of a reply to the Deputy's question would involve excessive time and cost on the part of my Department. A large number of international conferences, seminars and gathering of experts are attended by officials of the Department and reports for internal use are prepared in the normal course.
325.
asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
Records are not kept in a form that would enable the information requested to be provided without a disproportionate expenditure of staff time.
326.
asked the Minister for Transport if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available and could only be compiled by the expenditure of an inordinate amount of staff time.
327.
asked the Minister for the Environment if he will indicate if any member of his Department or any person sponsored by his Department attended an international conference, seminar or gathering of experts in 1977, 1978, 1979 and in 1980 to date; and if he will state: (1) the number of people who attended directly from his Department, (2) the number of people sponsored by his Department, (3) the names of such persons and the basis on which they were selected, (4) the number of conferences attended giving details of the title, theme and venue of each conference, (5) the cost per participant to his Department for each conference, (6) if he received a report from the participants after they had attended the conference and if he will deposit a copy of such reports in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas, (7) the number of conferences for which the participants did not subsequently present a report, and (8) if he will give the rank and name of the representatives from his Department who attended such conferences and their professional qualifications and the names of the people sponsored by his Department from outside bodies and agencies.
The compilation of the information in question would involve an undue amount of time and expense.