Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Employment in International Organisations.

Michael Ferris

Question:

83 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Finance if his Department, in conjunction with the Departments of the Taoiseach and of Foreign Affairs, established a register identifying the Irish personnel currently working for international organisations including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the OECD, the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations and related agencies who have worked in the Irish public service and who are on secondment from their positions in the public service, including semi-State companies and the Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1941/98]

Minister for Finance (Mr. McCreevy):

Although my Department monitors, on an informal basis, the number of all Irish nationals employed by international organisations, it does not maintain, either on its own or in conjunction with the Department of the Taoiseach or the Department of Foreign Affairs a register of Irish public servants who are on secondment to such bodies. The Government is, of course, committed to fostering a high level of representation by Irish nationals in these organisations. In the Civil Service, for which I have responsibility, individual

Departments have delegated sanction to grant special leave to officers to serve with international organisations and the need to refer to my Department only arises where such leave is being refused.