Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 6 Oct 1993

Vol. 434 No. 2

Written Answers. - Ministerial Visits Abroad.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

252 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the number of visits he has made abroad since taking up office; the destination, date, duration of these visits, the purpose of these visits; the number of officials and others who accompanied him; the airline used on each visit; and the overall cost of each visit.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

253 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence the number of visits his Minister of State has made abroad since taking up office; the destination, date, duration of these visits, the purpose of these visits; the number of officials and others who accompanied him; the airline used on each visit; and the overall cost of each visit.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 253 together. Details of visits made abroad by both myself and Minister of State, Deputy Noel Dempsey, since taking up office are set out in the following schedules.

The costs relating to Minister of State Dempsey's most recent visit to New Zealand and Australia, a trip which was not organised by my Department, are to be apportioned, in due course, between three Government Offices. Details of the costs involved in this particular trip are not yet available.

Minister for Defence — Visits Abroad.

Destination	Duration	Purpose	Number of officials and others	Airlines	Cost
1. Lebanon, Cyprus, and Syria.	14-24 March 1993.	Visiting Irish military personnel serving with UN missions.	6 plus Minister's wife.	Aer Lingus, British Airways, Cyprus Airways, Middle East Airlines.	£28,000
2. Somalia.	25-27 June 1993.	Visiting mission area prior to deployment of 80 Irish troops for service with UNOSOM II.	4	Aer Corps.	£13,900
3. Seville, Spain.	9-12 September 1993.	Discussions with Spanish Aircraft Co. concerning fishery protection aircraft.	3 plus Minister's wife.	Aer Lingus.	£5,000
4. Lebanon and Somalia.	4-11 October 1993.	Visiting Irish military personnel serving with UN missions.	7.	Aer Lingus, Air France, Middle East Airlines, Kenya Airlines, British Airways.	Visit currently taking place.

Minister of State for Defence — Visits Abroad.

Destination	Duration	Purpose	Number of officials and others	Airlines	Cost
1. Lebanon and Cyprus.	27 September — 2 October 1992.	Visiting Irish military personnel serving with UN missions.	4	Aer Lingus, Swissair, Cyprus Airlines.	£12,000
2. Lebanon.	6-10 August 1993.	Visiting Irish military personnel serving with UN missions.	7	Aer Lingus, Middle East Airlines.	£19,000
3. New Zealand and Australia.	3-14 September 1993.	The main purpose of the visit was on business for (1) the Office of Public Works and (2) the Oireachtas. The Defence purpose was research and consultation on military organisations and structures.	1(officials of other offices were also involved).	Aer Lingus, British Airways.	Costs not yet available.