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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 1

Written Answers. - Ministerial Travel.

Michael Ring

Question:

68 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he will report on the purpose of his recent trip to Brazil with persons (details supplied); the cost of the trip including travel and accommodation; the source of funding for the trip; the dates upon which the trip was proposed and subsequently confirmed in the Minister's diary; the portion of the travel and accommodation costs paid by a person (details supplied); if he will supply the itinerary of the trip; and a report on the trip's activities. [31260/01]

In August of this year I visited Brazil and was accompanied by the chairman of An Bord Iascaigh Mhara – BIM – and a fisherman from Galway. Four leading and prominent fishing industry representatives were invited to accompany me to look at the opportunities for the industry in general. However, owing to unscheduled business commitments, three people were subsequently unable to travel.

The purpose of the trip was to explore fishing opportunities in Brazil for Irish vessels, to investigate boat building options with Brazilian shipyards, to examine exporting opportunities to Europe, particularly within the whitefish sector, and to look at best practice in the Brazilian catching and processing sectors. The trip had been under consideration since July and was confirmed in August, with travel arrangements being finalised in the week preceding departure.

To date my Department has met my air travel costs amounting to £4,112.17. My accommodation expenses have not yet been paid by my Department but will be done so shortly. I will forward the details to the Deputy in due course. A further £1,591.56 was paid for translation and consultancy services in consultation with the Irish consular services in Brazil. BIM met the travel and accommodation costs of its chairman. In relation to the fisherman, I am informed by BIM that they met 40% of the travel costs incurred by him.

A copy of the itinerary of the visit is included for the Deputy's information and I will make arrangements to forward a copy of a report of the trip to the Deputy in due course.

Itinerary

Sunday 26 August 2001

(all times local)

Depart Dublin

19:00

Monday 27 August 2001

Meetings Rio de Janeiro

Tuesday 28 August 2001

Meeting with Brazilian Minister for Agriculture and key officials, Brazilia

Wednesday 29 August 2001

Visit to Cabedelo port and meetings with key industry representatives

Thursday 30 August 2001

Meeting at Metalnave Shipyard, Itajai

12:30

Visit to tuna fish processing plant

16:30

Visit to Cearnadini processing plant

17:30

Dinner with local groups including Secretary of State, Santa Catarina State

20:00

Friday 31 August 2001

Meetings Itajai

Sunday 2 September 2001

Depart Rio de Janeiro

20:30

Monday 3 September 2001

Arrive Shannon

17:00

Michael Ring

Question:

69 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the reason Parliamentary Question Nos. 62 and 64 of 29 November 2001 were not answered in full; the reason costings for the trips in question were not given in the reply as requested; if he will provide the names of the secretary general, the senior official, the private secretary, the chairman and chief executive of Bord Iascaigh Mhara; and the name of the person (details supplied) and all other persons present. [31261/01]

I advised on 29 November that the visit to Chile was funded by BIM who met all the costs of travel and accommodation for myself, Department officials and BIM representatives as well as making a contribution to the costs incurred by the fish farmer. As the responsibility for the cost of the trip rests with BIM I have asked the board to reply directly to the Deputy on the specific details.

The Department officials who accompanied me were Ms Julie O'Neill, Secretary General, Mr. Maurice Mullen, principal officer with responsibility for aquaculture policy and Mr. Eamonn Confey, private secretary to the Minister. Mr. Pat Keogh, chief executive officer and Mr. Pat Ridge, chairman of BIM also participated. The fish farmer was Mr. John O'Carroll who is chairman of the marine farmers group of the Irish Salmon Growers' Association.

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