Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Dec 1996

Vol. 473 No. 3

Written Answers. - Ministerial Travel.

Ivor Callely

Question:

99 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht the number of foreign trips made by him during 1996; the destination, purpose and duration of the trips; whether the Government jet or scheduled flights were used; the identity and designation of persons who accompanied him on each trip; the number, purpose and duration of each meeting attended by him on such trips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25129/96]

Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht (Mr. M. Higgins)

The following table provides details of foreign trips undertaken by me in 1996. With regard to the information sought in relation to the number, purpose and duration of each meeting attended by me on such trips, it would not be practicable to collate such information in the limited time available. I can assure the Deputy, however, that all trips undertaken by me were of the minimum duration necessary to enable me to fulfil my responsibilities as Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht.

Date	Destination	Type	Purpose of Trip	Passenger List
14-15 February 1996	Paris	Air Corps and scheduled services	To attend press conference for the launch of L'Imaginaire Irlandais.	Minister, Assistant Secretary, Private Secretary.
15-19 March 1996	Paris	Air Corps	To attend official events associated with St. Patrick's Day and L'Imaginaire Irlandais.	Minister and Ms Higgins, Assistant Secretary, Private Secretary, Special Adviser.
21-24 April 1996	Bologna	Air Corps	To attend Informal Council of EU Culture Ministers.	Minister, Assistant Secretary, Private Secretary, Assistant Principal.
03-14 May 1996	Los Angeles and Virginia, USA	Scheduled services	To promote the Irish film industry—Los Angeles. To give key note address at a major conference on Irish film—Virginia.	Minister, Department Secretary, Programme Manager, Principal Officer, Private Secretary.
21-24 May 1996	Paris	Scheduled services	To accompany the President on her official visit to celebrate L'Imaginaire Irlandais.	Minister and Ms Higgins, Assistant Secretary, Private Secretary.
10-11 June 1996	Brussels and Luxembourg	Air Corps	To meet Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Cultural Committee of EU Parliament, followed by meeting with the Audio-Visual Minister from Belgium and other Ministers — Brussels.	Minister, Assistant Secretary, Private Secretary, Special Adviser.
			To attend Formal Council of Culture Ministers—Luxembourg.
1 August 1996	Galway	Scheduled services	Travel home.	Minister.
2-6 August 1996	L'Orient	Air Corps	To attend events associated with the	Minister and Ms
			L'Orient Interceltic Festival and	Higgins,
			closing of L'Imaginaire Irlandais.	Assistant Secretary,
				Assistant Private
				Secretary.
29 Sept.-2 Oct. 1996	Berlin and Frankfurt	Air Corps	To accompany the President on her official visit to Berlin and attend opening of Frankfurt Book Fair.	Minister, Department Secretary Private Secretary, Special Adviser.
8-11 October 1996	Brussels and Copenhagen	Air Corps Air taxi	To address the EU Cultural Committee in Brussels and attend Conference as President of the EU Cultural Council—Copenhagen.	Minister, Assistant Secretary, Private Secretary, Assistant Principal.
27-29 October 1996	Budapest	Air Corps Air taxi	To address Conference as President of EU Cultural Council.	Minister, Principal Officer, Programme Manager, Assistant Private Secretary.
14-16 November 1996	Cardiff	Air Corps	To give the Raymond Williams Memorial Lecture for BBC Wales.	Minister and Ms Higgins, Private Secretary, Special Adviser.
1-3 December 1996	The Hague	Air Corps	To attend bilateral meeting with the Danish Culture Minister to discuss handing over of the EU Presidency.	Minister, Assistant Secretary, Private Secretary, Assistant Principal.
15-17 December 1996	Brussels	Air Corps Air taxi	To attend at formal Council of EU Cultural Ministers.	Minister, Minister of State, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Principal Officer, Private Secretary.