Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 Nov 2000

Vol. 526 No. 6

Written Answers. - EU Council Meetings.

Derek McDowell

Question:

95 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of meetings of the Irish UNESCO committee which have been attended by representatives of his Department; the number of meetings held; the other members of the committee; and the topics upon which decisions are made. [27490/00]

Derek McDowell

Question:

99 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has been in consultation with the Department of Education and Science on such matters as are currently being given prominence by UNESCO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27489/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 95 and 99 together.

The Department of Education and Science's international section provides national co-ordination for all matters relating to Ireland's involvement in UNESCO. The Minister of Education and Science normally represents Ireland at the UNESCO General Conference, which is held in Paris every two years, and addresses the Plenary Assembly.

As part of its co-ordination role, the Department of Education and Science consults, where appropriate, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other Departments. The Irish Ambassador in Paris is this country's permanent representative to UNESCO.

The Department of Education and Science acts as the secretariat of the Irish National Committee for UNESCO and calls meetings of the committee. The committee usually has a plenary meeting once a year. Other meetings are called as the need arises. It met on 20 May 1999 and on 9 September 1999. The 9 September meeting was attended by representatives of my Department. I understand that the Department of Education and Science proposes to call a plenary meeting for 2000, to take place in December of this year.

The members of the Irish National Committee for UNESCO, from Departments other than my own, are Mr. John Dennehy (ex officio chair), Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science; Ms Anne O'Mahony, Department of Education and Science, international section; Ms Margaret Curley, Department of Education and Science, international section; Ms Frances Killeen, Department of Education and Science, international section; Mr. Kevin O'Connor, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Mr. Eugene Keane, Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands; Mr. Paddy McGannon, Department of the Environment and Local Government; Mr. John Fallon, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and Dr. Rosemary Boothman, Department of Health and Children.

At its meeting on 20 May 1999 the topics on which decisions were made by the committee were the membership of the Irish National Committee for UNESCO; Ireland's possible membership of sub-committees of UNESCO; UNESCO funds; participation programme funds; participation in UNESCO projects by Ireland; and the programme for the General Conference in Paris in 1999.

At its meeting of 9 September the topics on which decisions were made by the Committee were the resolution by Luxembourg declaring the year 2000 as World Mathematical Year; Irish candidatures for a seat on the World Heritage Committee; the Minister of Education and Science's speech to the UNESCO General Conference; the provision of briefing material for the Minister for Education and Science; and the Interdisciplinary Project on the Culture of Peace.

Question No. 96 taken with Question No. 67.