Ministerial Travel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 May 2014

Tuesday, 13 May 2014

Questions (139)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

139. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all official foreign trips he and Ministers of State in his Department intend to take between now and the end of 2014; if he will detail whom he and Ministers of State in his Department will be meeting on these trips; the purpose of the trip; the duration of the trip; if there are plans to use all of these trips to promote Ireland as a good place for doing business and as a destination for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21083/14]

Written answers

The Taoiseach

The following is my official travel confirmed to date for the remainder of the year.

I am scheduled to travel to the United States of America from 4th to 7th of June. The final programme has not yet been confirmed but the primary focus will be on promoting investment, trade and job creation.

I plan to travel to Berlin on 3 July (1 day), to deliver an address to an economic conference. The visit will include a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel. The purpose of my visit is both to promote Irish economic interests, and to consolidate bilateral Ireland/Germany relations.

I plan to travel to Turin on 11 July (1 day), to attend an EU Heads of State and Government (HOSG) level meeting on youth employment. I also propose to have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Renzi. The purpose of my visit is both to identify actions at EU and national level to combat youth unemployment, and to consolidate bilateral Ireland/Italy relations.

My other EU engagements between now and the end of the year include attendance at European Council meetings with Heads of State and Government and attendance at informal meetings of EU Heads of State and Government in Brussels. These include:

- 27 May - Informal meeting of the European Council

- 26-27 June - European Council

- 23-24 October - European Council

- 18-19 December - European Council

I am also due to attend the British Irish Council (BIC) Summit in Guernsey on 13 June and again in the Isle of Man on 28 November. I will be meeting with the other BIC Heads of Administrations at these summits.

I am informed that Mr. Paul Kehoe T.D., Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, does not have any plans for official travel this year.