Micheál Martin
Question:440. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department allocates money to the IIEA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45698/17]
View answerTuesday, 7 November 2017
Questions (440, 441)
Micheál Martin
Question:441. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his officials attend courses run by the IIEA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45699/17]
View answerWritten answers
The Government is committed to greater engagement with the public on the Future of Europe and in this regard my Department is providing funding of €750,000 over 3 years for a Future of the EU27 project being carried out the Institute for International and European Affairs (IIEA). The first tranche of this funding, €125,000, is being provided this year to the IIEA.
The IIEA will carry out a programme of research, publications, events and public outreach focusing on the key policy challenges for Ireland in the EU and taking account of developments in the Member States and globally.
Together, the elements of the project will provide policymakers and the public with an enhanced understanding of the issues at stake, as the European Union adjusts to the UK withdrawal, and determines its future direction.
In addition, funding of €40,000 has been provided this year to the IIEA for a series of development cooperation focused lectures, in the Development Matters series. The aim of these lectures is to bring critical issues in international development to the attention of the wider audience in Ireland and to bring leading international policy figures to Dublin.
The invited speakers are generally global leaders in their respective fields and the Development Matters series provides an opportunity to promote informed public engagement with development issues. The lectures have addressed the topics of human development, the refugee experience, urbanisation and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Department of Foreign Affairs also pays an annual membership subscription to the IIEA.
While the IIEA does not provide training courses, officials from my Department regularly attend and participate in public events and seminars organised by the IIEA.