Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 December 2017
49. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if a budget has been allocated to the person in the role of US special envoy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53975/17]
View answerThe Taoiseach appointed Deputy John Deasy as Special Envoy to the United States Congress on the Undocumented Irish in June 2017.
The work of the Special Envoy is conducted under my overall direction and is part of the ongoing engagement by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the issue of the undocumented Irish in the United States.
Our diplomatic network across the United States continues to engage at every opportunity with representatives of the Administration and Congress, as well as with Irish community organisations, to seek relief for the undocumented.
As the Taoiseach indicated at the time of the appointment, no additional remuneration is paid to the Special Envoy.
The staff resources required are drawn from existing resources in relevant sections of my Department, as needed and on a case by case basis. Likewise, the envoy’s travel and subsistence expenses are covered from within the existing resources of my Department. The Departmental budget for 2018 is currently under consideration and it is anticipated that a budget will be allocated to the role as part of that process.
