Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Feb 1997

Vol. 475 No. 5

Written Answers - Acceptance of Gifts.

Ivor Callely

Question:

84 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the gifts he accepted since his appointment to Government; if he will give details of the gifts and their monetary value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5288/97]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

As Minister for Foreign Affairs my predecessors and I in our official capacity would occasionally be recipients of inexpensive gifts to mark such occasions as official visits abroad etc. The overwhelming majority of gifts given and received in the course of Government business have symbolic rather than actual value. It has been long established practice not to disclose details of such gifts, as disclosure might cause offence to the donor. I propose to abide by that practice as have my predecessors.

As a matter of personal practice, the limits imposed by the Ethics Act offer a reasonable guideline in relation to the handling of gifts received before the enactment of the Bill and it is not my intention to retain any gifts which may be valued as disclosable under the terms of the Act.