Vol. 473 No. 2
92 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of foreign trips made by him during 1996; the destination, purpose and duration of the trips; whether the Government jet or scheduled flights were used; the identity and designation of persons who accompanied him on each trip; the number, purpose and duration of each meeting attended by him on such trips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25133/96]
In my reply to an earlier question tabled by the Deputy on 10 December 1996 (Question No. 179), I already gave the details requested in relation to use of Government jet or scheduled flights and the designation of persons who accommpanied me.
The additional information sought is set out in the following table.
|
Date |
Destination |
Purpose of Trip/Number of Meetings |
|
28-29 March |
Brussels |
(1) Meeting with Irish MEPs. |
|
(2) Meeting with Chair of Employment and Social Affairs Committee of European Parliament. |
||
|
(3) Meeting with Commissioner Flynn. |
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|
(4) Attendance of European Social Policy Forum. |
||
|
(5) Bilateral Meeting with UK Parliamentay Under Secretary of State for Social Security. |
||
|
(6) Social Affairs Council Meeting. |
||
|
20-22 May |
Strasbourg |
(1) Meeting with Irish MEPs. |
|
(2) Meeting with President of European Parliament. |
||
|
(3) Meeting with Chair of Employment and Social Affairs Committee of European Parliament. |
||
|
(4) Meeting with Commissioner Flynn and |
||
|
(5) a series of eight meetings with representatives of various political groups in the European Parliament in advance of the Irish Presidency. |
||
|
2-3 June |
Luxembourg |
(1) Social Affairs Council Meeting; and |
|
(2) Bilateral meetings with French, German and Dutch Ministers. |
||
|
7-9 June |
Madrid and London |
(1) Bilateral meetings with Spanish Minister for Social Affairs. |
|
(2) Radio interview, London regarding Northern Ireland peace process. |
||
|
23-24 July |
Brussels |
(1) Addressed Social Affairs Committee of European Parliament on Presidency Social Affairs agenda. |
|
28-31 July |
Athens |
(1) Met Greek Minister for Social Affairs, Labour Affairs and Social Protection and Deputy Foreign Minister. |
|
6-8 Sept. |
Oxford |
(1) Addressed and participated in Annual Conference of British-Irish Association on behalf of Government. |
|
7-8 Oct. |
Barcelona |
(1) Addressed Conference on Social Policy and European Integration. |
|
(2) National Newspaper interviews on Irish Government proposals to Intergovernmental Conference on the Social Exclusion issue. |
||
|
12-13 Oct. |
Helsinki |
(1) Met Finnish Minister for Social Affairs and Health. |
|
(2) Met Finnish Minister of State for Social Affairs to discuss matters arising out of the Irish Presidency and the proposal to include a provision in the Treaty on social exclusion. |
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|
(3) Addressed conference on European Social Policy. |
||
|
16-17 Oct. |
Brussels |
(1) Addressed Conference on EU Social Policy at the European Parliament to mark World Day for the Eradication of Poverty |
|
22-23 Oct. |
Strasbourg |
(1) Addressed Plenary Session of European Parliament — on social dimension of EU. |
|
(2) Met UNESCO officials to discuss anti-Poverty actions. |
||
|
28-29 Oct. |
Bonn |
(1) Met German Minister and Junior Minister for Social Affairs to discuss issues arising from Irish Presidency Programme. |
|
1-2 Dec. |
Brussels |
(1) Social Affairs Council Meeting. |
|
(2) Met Commissioner Flynn, Director-General Larsson and Council Officials. |
93 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total cost to the Exchequer arising out of the use of air transport for all foreign and internal flights by him and the people accompanying him for each of the years 1980 and 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24759/96]
The total cost arising from the use of commercial air transport by the then Minister for Social Welfare and accompanying persons in 1990 was £13,329.
The information relating to the cost of ministerial travel in 1980 is not readily available. It is therefore not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy in respect of this period.
The cost relating to the use of the ministerial air transport service for the periods concerned is a matter for the Minister for Defence.
95 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total cost to the Exchequer arising out of the use of air transport for all foreign and internal flights by him and the people accompanying him for each of the years 1980 and 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24760/96]
The Department of Tourism and Trade was set up in 1993. Therefore, the figures for 1980 and 1990 sought by the Deputy are not available.
96 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the total cost to the Exchequer arising out of the use of air transport for all foreign and internal flights by him and the people accompanying him for each of the years 1980 and 1990; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24761/96]
My Department has expended a gross total of £28,381.38 to date in 1996 on foreign and internal flights by me and those accompanying me. Refunds totalling £5,960 have been received to date in respect of some of these flights and further refunds are due.
As my Department was not established until 1993, comparative figures for 1980 and 1990 are not available.
