Written Answers. - Ministerial Overseas Trips.
Alan Shatter
Ceist:
39
Mr. Shatter
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs
the number of trips made by him overseas since his appointment as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs; the countries he has visited, the dates of these visits and the number of days he remained in each country; the number of occasions he has accompanied the President on trips overseas and the number of days spent out of the country on these trips; the countries he proposes visiting during the rest of this year; and the length of time he intends remaining in each of these countries.
Since my appointment as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have made 11 trips overseas.
Six of these commitments arose in the context of our membership of the European Communities. I attended meetings of the General Affairs Council in Brussels on 1 February, 8 March and 10 May and in Luxembourg on 4 April and 8-9 June. On each of these occasions I travelled out on the evening prior to the Council and on each occasion, with the exception of this week's meeting in Luxembourg which continued on 9 June with a meeting with the US Secretary of State, I remained for one day. On 24 April I travelled to Hindsgavl in Denmark for an informal meeting of EC Foreign Ministers and returned to Ireland the following day.
I have travelled overseas twice in connection with Anglo-Irish matters. On 28 February I travelled to London for a meeting of the Intergovernmental Conference, returning the following day. On 16 April I travelled to Oxford to address a meeting jointly organised by Anglo-Irish Encounter and the British Irish Association, returning the following day.
I accompanied President Robinson on a State Visit to Spain from 4 to 7 May and I also accompanied the President from 12 to 14 May during her recent visit to Washington DC. In addition, I attended a series of meetings in New York on 14 and 15 May. I left New York on 15 May, arriving in Ireland on 16 May.
I made an official visit to Poland and Hungary from 28 February to 2 March.
I would be happy to provide the Deputy with information on the business conducted on these occasions if he feels it would be of interest.
As to future commitments this year, I expect to travel to Belgium for two meetings of the General Affairs Council in July and one each in November and December; for an informal ministerial meeting in September and for the European Council in December. I will travel to Luxembourg for a meeting of the General Affairs Council in October and to Denmark for the European Council on 21 and 22 June. While my schedule for these commitments has not been finalised, I expect that it will follow the pattern already established by me.
In the Anglo-Irish context, I will attend Summit Meetings and meetings of the Intergovernmental Conference and will fulfil other travel commitments as they arise.
In the UN framework, I will be in Vienna from 13 to 15 June to attend the World Conference on Human Rights and I will be in New York from 26 September to 1 October to attend the UN General Assembly.
I will be in Bonn on 23 and 24 June for discussions with the German Foreign Minister, Klaus Kinkel.
Othe visits are under consideration or may be required by circumstances which arise. These visits will be made known as and when arrangements are made.
