Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jul 1996

Vol. 468 No. 4

Written Answers. - UN Convention on Climate Change.

Noel Dempsey

Question:

383 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment in relation to his attendance at the Second Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change in Geneva, the names of those people who accompanied him and the capacity in which they attended; if funding to attend the conference was provided for any person other than himself and established civil servants in his Department; if so, the other persons so funded; the purpose of their attendance; if he will give a breakdown to the total costs of representation at the convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16107/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

The second conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and meetings of the Convention's four subsidiary bodies, took place in Geneva from 8 to 19 July. Ireland, which as Presidency was responsible for co-ordinating and presenting the EU position, was represented at the conference and subsidiary body meetings by the following departmental officials:

Mr. N. Callan, Department of the Environment (first week and part of second week).

Mr. J. Humphreys, Department of the Environment.

Mr. D. Enright, Department of the Environment.

Mr. B. Brangan, Department of the Environment.

Mr. D. Coppins, Department of the Environment (second week only).

Mr. M. Collins, Department of the Environment.

Ms R. Dempsey, Department of Transport, Energy and Communications.

Ms E. O'Connor, Department of Transport, Energy and Communications.

Accompanied by my Private Secretary, I attended the ministerial segment of the conference from 16-18 July. In my capacity as President of the EU Environment Council, I chaired a number of EU co-ordination meetings and presented the EU position in the wider conference negotiations. I also hosted a reception for Ministers and heads of delegations from Annex I parties to the Convention.

Irish Government costs as regards the conference relate solely to the above arrangements. Detailed compilation of the costs, which will consist mainly of travel and subsistence costs incurred in accordance with Department of Finance regulations, have not yet been completed.