asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the number of trips the Minister for External Affairs made outside this country since February, 1948, and the purpose of each trip and the total cost and expenses incurred by such trips to date.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Minister's Visits to Other Countries.
May I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave on the 22nd February last to a similar question? The tabular statement in that reply gave the information desired by the Deputy up to the 5th February, 1950. I propose to have included in the Official Report a similar statement bringing the information up to date.
Following is the statement:—
|
Purpose of Journey |
Date of Departure |
Date of Return |
Cost |
|
£ |
|||
|
Consultations in Paris in capacity of Vice-President of O.E.E.C. |
22/2/50 |
24/2/50 |
38 |
|
To address Joint Debates Union of University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; to address Irish Society of Sheffield and District; to attend St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Liverpool. |
14/3/50 |
18/3/50 |
23 |
|
Meeting of O.E.E.C. Council and Consultative Group in Paris; Meeting of Ministers of Council of Europe in Strasbourg. |
22/3/50 |
5/4/50 |
161 |
|
Meeting of O.E.E.C. Council in Paris; Meeting of Ministers of Council of Europe in Strasbourg. |
31/5/50 |
7/6/50 |
83 |
|
Meeting of O.E.E.C. Executive Committee in Paris. |
15/6/50 |
18/6/50 |
50 |
|
Meeting of O.E.E.C. Council in Paris |
5/7/50 |
8/7/50 |
52 |
|
Representing the Government at St. Columbanus Festival at Luxeuil. |
20/7/50 |
24/7/50 |
40 |
|
Meeting of Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe in Strasbourg. |
1/8/50 |
12/8/50 |
93 |
|
Meeting of O.E.E.C. Council in Paris |
5/10/50 |
9/10/50 |
57 |
|
Meeting of O.E.E.C. Council in Paris |
25/10/50 |
28/10/50 |
55 |
|
Representing the Government at the proclamation of the Dogma of the Assumption and attending Committee of Ministers of Council of Europe in Rome. |
31/10/50 |
7/11/50 |
116 |
|
£770 |
|||
|
Corresponding expenditure in the period February, 1948 to February 5th, 1950 was |
£1,900 |
||
|
£2,670 |
In view of the frequent trips of the Minister for External Affairs abroad, with special reference to his trips to France, would it not be more economic for the Irish Ambassador to attend most of these conferences, particularly in France, in view of the fact that Mr. Bevin, who is a member of a number of committees, is represented on these committees?
That is purely a separate question.
Perhaps I might be allowed to say that in these matters I have to balance considerations of economy against considerations of efficiency and national status.