Written Answers. - UNESCO Irish National Commission.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:
431
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Minister for Education and Science
the names of the current members, including chairperson, of the UNESCO Irish National Commission; the Departments or bodies each member represents; the date of appointment and duration of appointment of each member; the detailed functions of the commission; if he will provide a list of the non-governmental bodies and other organisations which are affiliated to the commission; if he will provide a detailed account of the activities of the commission since 26 June 1997; the number and dates of its meetings since that date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[7061/99]
The constitution of UNESCO provides that each member state should make its own administrative arrangements in relation to the work of UNESCO. For many countries, this takes the form of a national commission involving Government Ministries and other interests involved in the areas that come within UNESCO's competence.
Between 1987 and 1991 matters relating to UNESCO were administered by the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Foreign Affairs in consultation with other Government Departments as appropriate. In order to provide for wider consultation on UNESCO issues, the Minister for Education in 1991 invited other relevant Government Departments to participate in an interdepartmental committee known as the Irish National Committee for UNESCO. The members of the committee who represent their Department are as such not appointed; but assume their position on the committee by virtue of the responsibility assigned to them for UNESCO matters in their respective Departments.
The current membership of the committee and their dates of appointment are as follows: Mr. John Dennehy, Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science, is anex-officio chairman of the National Committee for UNESCO, (15-1-98); Mr. Sé Goulding, Department of Education and Science, (20-2-97); Ms Eilish Bergin, Department of Education and Science (10-11-97); Ms Mary Collins, Department of Education and Science (25-5-98); Mr. David Cooney, Department of Foreign Affairs, (9-9-98); Mr. Patrick Sammon, Department of Foreign Affairs (2-1-97); Mr. Conor O'Malley, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (7-9-95); Mr. Eugene Keane, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands (1-6-91); Ms Veronica Healy, Department of the Environment and Local Government (7-9-95); Mr. Michael Pender, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (3-9-93).
While it is not envisaged at present that other Government Departments will be required to assign an official to the committee, it is open for them to do so if considered appropriate.
Since 26 June 1997, members of the committee represented Ireland at the UNESCO General Conference held in Paris in November 1997. Ireland was also represented at the World Conference on Higher Education in Paris in 1998, World Conference on Adult Education in Hamburg in 1997 and the General Assembly of the World Heritage Convention in September 1997 in Paris.
