Phil Hogan
Question:297 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of committees that have been established since 1997; the total cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15652/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Committees.
The task force on policy regarding emigrants was established in 2001 and presented its report to me in 2002. Total expenditure was €136,086, which covered research, travel and publication of the report. No remuneration was paid to any of the committee members.
The first meeting of the joint Department of Foreign Affairs/NGO standing committee on human rights took place on 11 June, 1997.
The following expenditure has been incurred to date:
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
1997 |
No expenditure |
|
1998 |
£22,108.64 |
|
1999 |
£31,745.94 |
|
2000 |
£22,301.83 |
|
2001 |
£21,087.99 |
|
2002 |
€36,005.18 |
|
2003 |
Nil to date |
In December 2000, the Government approved the terms of reference for the Ireland Aid review committee. The 14 members of the committee met in February 2001 and during the following 12 months consulted widely with key development actors and stakeholders, in particular Irish NGOs, missionaries and the wider public. The committee conducted an in-depth analysis of the Ireland Aid programme and examined a wide range of policy options for the future. The work of the committee was presented in a report in February 2002 and the recommendations contained therein were approved by Government in March 2002. No payment or fees were made to any committee member. Certain travel costs in relation to two field trips and the travel costs of two committee members to attend meetings in Dublin were incurred. As these costs were spread over many budget lines it is not possible in the timeframe given to provide the Deputy with a breakdown of this expenditure.
In March 2002, the Government decided, on the recommendation of the report of the Ireland aid review committee, to establish the Advisory Board of Ireland Aid, ABIA, replacing the Irish Aid Advisory Committee, IAAC. I appointed ten members to the board for a three year period effective from 1 August 2002. Costs of €149,465 associated with the board from 1 August 2002 to date include €95,757 in respect of salaries for the secretariat to the board consisting of one principal development specialist, one development specialist and one clerical officer; €34,450 in respect of travel and subsistence costs in connection with a number of visits by members of the board to international development agencies in Geneva, New York, Paris and Washington as well as a visit to Zambia, one of the Ireland Aid programme countries; and €19,258 in costs associated with attendance at board meetings which includes the purchase of office supplies and equipment, postage, photocopying, printing and stationery.
In the development co-operation area, the Government also decided to establish a Development Education Advisory Committee, the DEAC. I appointed ten members to this committee for a two year period effective from 1 January 2003. The members are entitled to travel expenses to attend meetings of the committee – three held to date – but no claims in this regard have been received as of yet.
The board members of ABIA and committee members of DEAC serve on a voluntary basis and receive no remuneration.
The Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, has established a task force on ICT and development to advise him on the integration of ICTs, information and communication technologies, into the Ireland Aid development programme. The task force was set up in December 2002. No costs have been incurred to date.