Vol. 464 No. 4
65 Mr. Davern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the additional staff, agencies or consultants, if any, have been hired in relation to the Intergovernmental Conference and the Irish Presidency of the EU; the number and names of companies involved; their specific role/s; and the costs in each case. [8393/96]
I refer the Deputy to my reply of 6 February to Questions Nos. 30, 57 and 75 which, inter alia, details the additional staffing arrangements envisaged for Ireland's Presidency of the EU.
The staff who will be employed on contract include three former officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs to work on specific aspects of the Presidency and the Intergovernmental Conference. The first of these officers is currently acting as the Tánaiste's representative on the Working Group of Personal Representatives at the Intergovernmental Conference at a per diem rate of £188.05, minus withholding tax. The second officer will represent Ireland at the second session of the UN preparatory committee on an international court from 12 to 30 August and at the Sixth Committee of the UN during the UN General Assembly from October to December and will be paid a per diem rate of £144.57, minus withholding tax. The third officer will lead the Irish delegation at the First Committee of the UN during the General Assembly and will be paid a per diem rate of £172.13, minus withholding tax. Travel and subsistence costs will also be paid in each case, in accordance with the prevailing Civil Service rates.
