Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Feb 1996

Vol. 462 No. 2

Written Answers. - Ministerial Travel.

Dermot Ahern

Question:

106 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the foreign trips undertaken by him 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 him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4279/96]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

I undertook three foreign trips in 1995, the details of which are as follows:

I departed Dublin Airport at 4.20 p.m. on 9 February 1995 and travelled to Strasbourg to attend the Council of Europe Steering Committee meeting on equality between men and women. I was accompanied by two of my officials, Ms Catherine Sheridan and Mr. Richard Humphreys. I returned to Dublin at 11.25 p.m. on 10 February 1995.

I departed Dublin Airport at 12.00 noon on 16 March 1995 and travelled to Toronto to attend a range of official functions on which I was accompanied by my spouse. I returned to Dublin at 6.30 a.m. on 22 March 1995.

I departed Dublin Airport at 12.15 p.m. on 21 August 1995 with my spouse and travelled to Beijing to attend the UN Fourth World Conference on Women. At the Conference I was accompanied by Ms Carmel Foley, Chief Executive of the Employment Equality Agency, and six of my officials: Mr. Bernard McDonagh, Mr. John Hurley, Ms Frances Comerford, Ms Catherine Sheridan, Ms Anne Kinsella and Mr. Richard Humphreys. I left Beijing on 10 September and arrived back in Dublin at 8.05 a.m. on 12 September having made a private visit to Hong Kong en route.

On each occasion both I and each member of my party used scheduled commercial flights.