Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 2

Written Answers. - Ministerial Travel.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

192 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice the foreign trips undertaken by her during 1995, including the time and date of exit from and return to this country; the mode of transport; the purpose of each trip; the persons who travelled with her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4282/96]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

During 1995 I made the following visits abroad. Details are as follows:

Duration	Destination	No. of Accompanying Delegation	Purpose
14/2/95 (a.m.)to14/2/95 (p.m.)	Belfast	SecretaryCommissioner —An Garda SíochánaPrincipal OfficerPrivate Secretary	Anglo-Irish Inter-GovernmentalConference
		Total No: 4
22/2/95 (a.m.)to22/2/95 (p.m.)	Belfast	SecretaryPrivate SecretaryProgramme ManagerTotal No: 3	Anglo-Irish Summit — Launch of the Framework Document
8/3/95 (p.m.)to10/3/95 (p.m.)	Brussels	SecretaryAssistant SecretaryPrivate SecretaryProgramme ManagerAssistant PrincipalHigher Executive Officer	Council Meeting of EU Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs*
		Total No: 6
24/3/95 (a.m.)to1/4/95 (p.m.)	South America	Mr. Brian OwenPrivate Secretary	Accompanying the President on an Official Presidential visit
		Total No: 2
18/4/95 (p.m.)to19/4/95 (p.m.)	Paris	Assistant Secretary (2)Principal OfficerPrivate Secretary	Informal Meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers
		Total No: 4
5/6/95 (p.m.)to7/6/95 (p.m.)	Bucharest Romania	Principal OfficerPrivate SecretaryProgramme Manager	Council of Europe Justice Ministers Meeting
		Total No:3
20/6/95 (p.m.)to21/6/95 (p.m.)	Luxembourg	Assistant SecretaryPrincipal OfficerPrivate SecretaryHigher Executive Officer	Council Meeting of EU Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs*
		Total No: 4
30/6/95 (a.m.)to30/6/95 (p.m.)	London	SecretaryCommissioner —An Garda SíochánaAssistant Principal (2)Principal OfficerPrivate SecretaryProgramme Manager	Anglo-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference
		Total No: 7
27/8/95 (p.m.)to31/8/95 (p.m.)	Hungary	Mr. Brian OwenAssistant SecretaryPrivate SecretaryProgramme ManagerPress OfficerTotal No:5	Meeting with Justice and Interior Ministers of Hungary and with Heads of Judiciary and Police. Discussion of EU co-operation with Hungary on Justice and Home Affairs matters; training undertaken by Hungarian police officers in Ireland and a draft Agreement for Bilateral Co-operation in Justice and Interior matters
24/9/95 (p.m.)to25/9/95 (p.m.)	Brussels	Assistant SecretaryPrincipal OfficerPrivate SecretaryHigher Executive Officer	Council Meeting of EU Minister for Justice and Home Affairs*
		Total No: 4
12/10/95 (p.m.)to16/10/95 (p.m.)	Spain	Mr. Brian OwenAssistant Secretary (2)Principal OfficerPrivate SecretaryProgramme ManagerHigher Executive Officer	Informal meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs Ministers
		Total No: 7
17/10/95 (a.m.)to17/10/95 (p.m.)	Belfast	SecretaryCommissioner —An Garda SíochánaAssistant SecretaryPrincipal OfficerPrivate SecretaryProgramme Manager	Anglo-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference
		Total No: 6
23/11/95 (a.m.)to24/11/95 (p.m.)	Brussels	Assistant SecretaryAssistant PrincipalPrivate SecretaryHigher Executive OfficerProgramme Manager	Council Meeting of EU Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs
		Total No: 5
8/12/95 (a.m.)to8/12/95 (p.m.)	London	SecretaryPrivate Secretary	Anglo-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference
		Total No: 2

The above trips were booked using scheduled airline flights whenever the Government jet was not available.

The exact times of departure and return are not shown as these details are not readily available in my Department.

*It should be noted that Justice and Home Affairs are handled as two separate meetings at Council level and Ireland is one of only four EU countries that has one Minister covering both these areas. The other eleven Member States have separate Ministers for each area.