Vol. 470 No. 2
97 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of persons employed by him to deal with press-related matters during the course of Ireland's Presidency of the EU; the total costs associated with such appointments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18823/96]
The Department of Foreign Affairs' press section is staffed by a press counsellor, a first secretary, a third secretary and a clerical officer. For the duration of the Presidency, an additional assistant principal officer, stagiare, executive officer and two clerical officers have been allocated to the press section. In addition, the number of press officers at the permanent representation to the European Union in Brussels has been increased from one first secretary to two, aided by a clerical assistant. The staff involved are paid at a rate appropriate to their Civil Service status.
The work of the press office involves issuing statements and press releases, giving press briefings and making arrangements for the media aspects of visits and meetings held in Ireland. Presidency responsibilities include briefing on a wide range of issues in addition to the organisation and conduct of the media dimension for high level meetings, such as the Commission-Government Meeting, attended by 120 foreign media, the informal meeting of Foreign Ministers, 217 media, and the recent special meeting of the European Council 840 media.
