Ministerial Travel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015

Tuesday, 14 July 2015

Questions (733)

Lucinda Creighton

Question:

733. Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details of all bilateral meetings held between the Minister for State (details supplied) and any other person or group during a recent trip to the Mediterranean to visit the LE Eithne undertaken by the Minister of State, including the identity of all such groups or persons, and the purpose of each meeting; if he will provide details of the Minister of State's travel arrangements to and from the Mediterranean; including whether he travelled by commercial flight or using the official Government jet; if he will provide details of all staff who accompanied the Minister of State on the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28798/15]

Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Minister of State for Development, Trade Promotion and North-South cooperation, Mr. Seán Sherlock, T.D., together with the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Justice and Equality, last week visited Malta and met with the crew of the Naval Service patrol ship LÉ Eithne. The purpose of the visit was to recognise the important, ground-breaking, humanitarian work the crew had undertaken in rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean. The Minister of State also attended a working dinner on the evening of 6 July hosted by Mr. Carmelo Abela, Maltese Minister for Home Affairs and National Security. The discussion focused upon migration issues and explored areas of common interest and opportunity between Ireland and Malta. The Minister of State travelled to Malta on the evening of 6 July and departed the following morning. The delegation travelled on the Government Jet. No staff accompanied the Minister of State.