Minister Micheál Martin, Travel Details May 2008 – June 2009
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Hotel
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Air Fares
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Number in Delegation (not including Minister)
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€
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€
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MAY 2008
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Sunday 11Travelled from Cork to Newcastle — Government Jet
(Returned Newcastle to Baldonnel same day)
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4
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Purpose of Trip:Joint initiative was announced by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the FAI to create the post of FAI welfare officer to assist young Irish footballers playing with British Clubs. This highlighted Ireland’s commitment to the Irish community in Britain, in particular younger members of that community.
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Saturday 24Travelled Baldonnel to Cardiff — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet)
(Returned Cardiff to Baldonnel same day)
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Purpose of Trip:Opportunity to promote Irish-Welsh bilateral relations — accompanied Taoiseach and Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism to meeting with Welsh First Minister, Mr. Rhodri Morgan. Matters discussed included economic issues, political developments in Northern Ireland and the role of education in promoting economic development.
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Monday 26Travelled Cork to Brussels — Government Jet
(Returned Brussels to Baldonnel same day)
(Accompanied by Minister O’Dea and his delegation on return journey).
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4
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met his EU colleagues for the May General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). This meeting also involved a short joint session with Defence Ministers to review developments in EU security and defence policy.
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JUNE 2008
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Tuesday 3Travelled Cork to London — Government Jet
(Returned London to Cork p.m.)
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Purpose of Trip:Meeting at 10 Downing Street to discuss Northern Ireland issues. The Minister had detailed discussions with the British Government regarding the then difficulties within the Northern Ireland Executive.
(Returned London to Cork to attend EU Lisbon treaty event with Taoiseach)
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3
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Travelled Cork to Paris — Government Jet Overnight X 1
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540.50
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3
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met with his French counterpart, Bernard Kouchner to discuss EU issues.
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Friday 6Travelled Baldonnel to London — Government Jet
(Returned London to Cork same day)
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1
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Purpose of Trip:High level political discussions regarding Northern Ireland issues with British Prime Minister, First Minister and Deputy First Minister.
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Sunday 15Travelled Cork to Luxembourg
Cork/Ams/ Lux/Paris/Dublin: Air France
Overnight X 1
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621.00
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937.36
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5
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met his EU colleagues for the June GAERC. The priority issues for discussion were the outcome of the Lisbon Treaty Referendum in Ireland and the preparation of the European Council. Returned from Luxembourg via Paris to Dublin.
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Thursday 19Travelled from Baldonnel to Brussels — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet)
Overnight X 1
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550.00
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5
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister and Taoiseach attended the European Council. The Minister met with his EU colleagues to discuss Kosovo, Cuba, Zimbabwe and Transatlantic Relations.
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Friday 20Returned Brussels to Baldonnel
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JULY 2008
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Tuesday 8Travelled Baldonnel to Cairo — Government Jet
Overnight X 1 — Subsistence (8-11)
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347
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5
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Wednesday 9Travelled Cairo to Tel Aviv — Govt Jet
(Accommodation provided by Israeli Foreign Ministry)
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Friday 11Returned Tel Aviv to Baldonnel — Govt Jet
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Purpose of Trip:The visit to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories provided a valuable opportunity to meet with senior political figures and to determine the extent of progress of peace talks under the Annapolis Process. It also allowed the Minister to assess, first-hand, the humanitarian and political situation in the West Bank.
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Monday 21Travelled Baldonnel to Brussels — Government Jet
Overnight X 1
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465
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4
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Tuesday 22Returned Brussels to Baldonnel
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Purpose of Trip:Meeting of all EU Foreign Ministers at the first General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) of the French Presidency
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SEPTEMBER 2008
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Monday 1Travelled Baldonnel to Brussels — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet)
(Returned Brussels to Baldonnel the same day)
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4
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister attended an extraordinary European Council which was convened by the French Presidency to discuss developments in Georgia, future EU Actions there and the impact of events on Georgia on EU-Russia relations.
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Friday 5Travelled Cork to Paris — Government Jet
Subsistence (5-7)
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4
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Saturday 6Overnight X 1 — Avignon Gymnich
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308
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Sunday 7Returned Paris to Cork — Aer lingus
Club travel X 2 (Government Jet unavailable/Economy flights booked at short notice)
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717
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met with his EU colleagues for a broad ranging discussion, chaired by the French Presidency which focused on the Transatlantic Relationship and relations between Georgia and Russia, but also covered the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Ukraine, Belarus, the European Security Strategy and the US-India deal. The Minister also had an opportunity to hold informal discussions with a number of EU partners regarding the Lisbon Treaty.
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Tuesday 23Travelled Dublin to Washington — US Airlines
Flight cost Dub/Wash/NY/Dub
Overnight X 1 —
Subsistence (23-30)
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316.69
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3,220
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5
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Wednesday 24Travelled Washington to New York — US Airlines
Overnight X 5
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1,744
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Monday 29 — Tuesday 30Return New York to Dublin — Continental Airlines
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister visited New York in order to attend the annual Ministerial Week held in connection with the opening of the annual UN General Assembly Session. The visit provided an opportunity for the Minister to re-affirm Ireland’s strong support for the UN and for reform of the Organisation in meetings with senior UN officials while he also delivered his first Address on behalf of Ireland to the General Assembly. The Minister, as is customary, also held bilateral meetings with a wide range of other countries.
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OCTOBER 2008
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Wednesday 1Travelled Baldonnel to Paris — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet) (Returned Paris to Baldonnel the same day)
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1
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister accompanied the Taoiseach for a meeting in Paris with President Sarkozy to discuss the Lisbon Treaty.
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Monday 6Travelled Cork to Brussels — Government Jet
(Returned Brussels to Baldonnel the same day)
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5
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister addressed the European Parliament Committee on Constitutional Affairs. The Minister also met with President Barroso, MEPs and Commission Vice-President Wallström.
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Monday 13Travelled Cork to Luxembourg — Government Jet
Returned Luxembourg to Baldonnel
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5
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister attended the fourth GAERC under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The session on General Affairs concentrated on preparations for the European Council on 15 and 16 October. The External Relations session focused on the situation in Belarus, Uzbekistan Zimbabwe, Georgia and relations with Russia. The Minister met VP Wallstrom’s and FM Martynov of the Republic of Belarus enmarge of the Council.
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Wednesday 15Travelled Baldonnel to Brussels — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet)
Overnight X 1
Subsistence (15-16)
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500.00
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4
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Thursday 16Returned Brussels to Baldonnel
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister accompanied the Taoiseach to the European Council convened by the French Presidency to discuss the economic and financial crisis. Negotiations on the energy-climate package were also discussed ahead of the December European Council.
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Tuesday 28Travelled Cork to London — Government Jet
(Returned London to Baldonnel the same day)
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3
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Purpose of Trip:Minister attended meeting with Secretary of State, Woodward to assess difficulties with Northern Ireland
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NOVEMBER 2008
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Monday 3Travelled Cork to Marseilles — Government Jet
Subsistence (3-4)
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7
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Tuesday 4Returned Marseilles to Baldonnel
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Purpose of Trip:The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, informally known as the Barcelona Process, following a Summit meeting convened by President Sarkozy in Paris on 13 July 2008, has now become the Union for the Mediterranean. The Minister participated in the first meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Union for the Mediterranean. Participation in these meetings affords valuable opportunities for Ireland to develop contacts with many countries where we do not have resident diplomatic missions.
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Wednesday 5Travelled Baldonnel to London — Government Jet
Overnight X 2
Subsistence (5-7)
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1,167
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7
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Friday 7Returned London to Cork
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Purpose of Trip:Series of meeting held with senior British political figures including Secretary of State Woodward and the Shadow Foreign Secretary, William Hague. These meetings are held regularly with the aim of deepening co-operation on Northern Ireland and other bilateral issues. The visit also included several meetings with Irish community organisations such as: Cooperation Ireland, the Irish Post, Emigrant Services Advisory Committee, London Irish Centre and a visit to GAA Headquarters. During the visit the grants given under the Government Emigrant Support Programme were announced.
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Sunday 9Travelled Cork to Brussels — Government Jet
Overnight X 1
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475.00
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4
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met EU colleagues and Minister for Defence for the fifth GAERC under the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Minister also met the Foreign Minister of The Netherlands, Maxime Verhagen, and the Foreign Minister of Sweden, Carl Bildt, as part of the series of bilaterals on the Lisbon Treaty.
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Thursday 13Travelled Baldonnel to Berlin — Government Jet
(Returned Berlin to Cork the same day)
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5
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met German Foreign Minister Steinmeier The key purpose was to discuss the Lisbon Treaty.
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Wednesday 19Travelled Baldonnel to Tbilisi — Government Jet
(Accommodation provided by Georgian side)
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6
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Friday 21Returned Tbilisi to Cork
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Purpose of Trip:Meetings with Government of Georgia following conflict with Russia, August 2008; meet Irish monitors with EU monitoring mission; visit Irish Aid-funded orphanage and visit internally displaced families.
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Wednesday 26Travelled Baldonnel to Paris — Government Jet
(Returned Paris to Baldonnel the same day)
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1
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met with senior French officials (representing the EU Presidency) to discuss the Lisbon Treaty. He was accompanied by the Attorney General.
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DECEMBER 2008
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Friday 5Travelled Baldonnel to Paris — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet) Travelled Paris to Brussels (p.m.)
Returned Brussels to Baldonnel
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1
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister accompanied the Taoiseach for meetings with President Sarkozy in Paris and President Barroso in Brussels in advance of the December European Council.
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Sunday 7Travelled Baldonnel to Brussels — Government Jet
Overnight X 1
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475.00
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6
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met EU colleagues at the GAERC where the principal business was a discussion of the Presidency’s draft European Council conclusions. The annual ``enlargement package`` of the Commission was also discussed. The Minster also met with HR/SG Solana to facilitate an exchange of views on the latest developments on the Lisbon Treaty. Following the GAERC the Minister also delivered an address to the EPC.
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Thursday 11Travelled Baldonnel to Brussels — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet)
Overnight X 1
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Friday 12Returned Brussels to Baldonnel to Cork
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister attended the last European Council of the French Presidency. The main focus was on the Lisbon Treaty, the energy-climate change package and the economic and financial crisis.
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500.00
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4
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Tuesday 30Travelled Cork to Paris — Government Jet
(Returned Paris to Cork the same day)
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2
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister travelled to Paris in order to attend an emergency meeting of EU Foreign Ministers that convened in response to the Gaza crisis. At this meeting Foreign Ministers agreed on a joint statement calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to the hostilities. Ministers also discussed means of alleviating the humanitarian crisis in the Territory.
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JANUARY 2009
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Sunday 25Travelled Cork to Brussels — Government Jet
Overnight X 1
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165.00
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4
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Monday 26
Returned Brussels to Baldonnel
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met EU colleagues at the first GAERC under the Czech Presidency chaired by Mr. Vondra, the Czech Deputy Prime Minister. The Council was preceded by a coordination meeting on Sunday evening. This was followed by a dinner at which was attended by the EU Ministers, HR Solana and Commissioner Ferrero Waldner to discuss the Middle East.
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FEBRUARY 2009
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Sunday 1Travelled Cork to Damascus — Government Jet
Overnight X 1
Subsistence (1 – 5 Feb.)
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564.06
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5
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Monday 2Travelled Damascus to Beirut
Overnight X 1
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Tuesday 3Travelled Beirut to Abu Dhabi
(Travel and accommodation costs were met by Govt of UAE)
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245.22
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Thursday 5Travelled Abu Dhabi to Dubai (by road)
Returned Dubai to Cork
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Purpose of Trip:The visit to Damascus was an important opportunity to renew high-level political contacts with Syria and to assess the level of Syrian re-engagement in regional peace efforts. The visit to Lebanon, meanwhile, allowed the Minister to demonstrate the support of Ireland and the EU for the country’s independence and sovereignty. The Minister was also able to meet with Irish personnel serving with the UNIFIL mission in the country. In both Syria and Lebanon the Minister had the opportunity to explore the scope for strengthened economic ties with both countries. As for the visit to the UAE, where the Minister accompanied the President on her official visit to the country, the Minister was able to formally announce the decision to open an Irish Embassy in Abu-Dhabi and to promote increased trade with the UAE.
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Sunday 15Travelled Baldonnel to Mexico — Government Jet
Overnight X 2
Subsistence (15-20 Feb.)
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867.81
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5
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Tuesday 17Travelled Mexico to Havana, Cuba
(Cuban Foreign Ministry provided transport and paid for hotel accommodation)
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Thursday 19/Friday 20Returned Havana to Cork
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Purpose of Trip:The visit to Cuba — the first by an Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs — was undertaken with a view to developing bilateral relations, following the lifting of EU sanctions in June 2008. During the course of the visit a broad political dialogue was opened with the Cuban Foreign Minister, including on Human Rights issues. Further meetings were held to examine the potential for economic cooperation, particularly in the field of medicine, IT, tourism and other high-value areas. A future bilateral co-operation agreement was considered.
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Monday 23Travelled Cork to Brussels — Government Jet
(Returned Brussels to Cork the same day)
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4
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met EU colleagues at the second GAERC under the Czech Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The session on General Affairs concentrated on the European Recovery Plan and the preparations for the Spring European Council of 19 and 20 March.
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MARCH 2009
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Sunday 1Travelled Cork to Sharm el Sheikh-
Government Jet
Overnight x1
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413.64
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4
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Monday 2Returned Sharm el Sheikh to Baldonnel
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Purpose of Trip:This visit to Egypt allowed the Minister to attend the Gaza Reconstruction Conference, which addressed the reconstruction needs of Gaza following the destruction caused to the Territory in the conflict of December 2008-January 2009. The Minister addressed the Conference and announced additional Irish Aid funding of €2.5 million to the Palestinian people in order to meet immediate humanitarian needs and the long term recovery of Gaza itself
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Saturday 14Travelled Baldonnel to New York (Teteboro Airport) — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet)
Overnight x2
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520.40
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3
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Monday 16Travelled New York to Washington (flight DL 5907)
Overnight x2Subsistence 14-18 March
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443.34
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292.31
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Wednesday 18Returned to Shannon
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, several representatives of the U.S. Congress, representatives of the Irish community and members of the business community. He also joined An Taoiseach in a meeting with President Obama.
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Thursday 19Travelled Shannon to Brussels — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet)
Overnight x1
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217.00
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5
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Friday 20Returned Brussels to Cork
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister accompanied the Taoiseach to the Spring European Council. The Minister met with his EU colleagues to discuss Sudan, the Middle East Peace Process, Guantanamo, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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APRIL 2009
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Sunday 5Travelled Cork — Baldonnel — Prague — Government Jet
Returned Prague to Baldonnel
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2
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister travelled to Prague to attend the EU-US Summit.
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Wednesday 22Travelled Baldonnel to London N’holt — Government Jet
(Returned London H’Row to Baldonnel the same day)
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5
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met with the Secretary of State to discuss developments in relation to Northern Ireland.
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Monday 27Travelled Cork to Luxembourg — Government Jet
Returned Luxembourg to Baldonnel the same day
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4
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met his EU colleagues for the April General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). The main issues discussed were the Eastern Partnership Summit, the European Neighbourhood Policy, Burma and the Middle East Peace Process.
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MAY 2009
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Wednesday 6Travelled Dublin to New York
(JFK) (Flight EI105)
Overnight x2
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Friday 8Returned New York to Shannon (Flight EI110)
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met with leading members of the Irish and business communities in the United States, the editorial board of the New York Times and launched the Senior Helpline USA (designed to improve outreach services for New York’s elderly Irish community).
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495.67
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2,603
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4
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JUNE 2009
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Monday 8Travelled Cork to London N’holt — Government Jet
Returned London N’holt to Baldonnel
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6
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister travelled to London to meet Secretary of State Miliband, to discuss the Lisbon Treaty.
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Friday 12Travelled Baldonnel to Chobielin, Poland — Government Jet
(Returned Chobielin to Cork the same day)
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4
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Purpose of Trip:Minister Martin visited Poland on the invitation of FM Sikorski. Issues discussed included the Lisbon Treaty, climate change, Afghanistan and the Eastern Partnership.
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Sunday 14Travelled Cork to Luxembourg — Government Jet)
Overnight x 1
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209.00
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4
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Monday 15Returned Luxembourg to Baldonnel
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister met his EU colleagues for the June General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC). The main topics discussed were preparations for the European Council, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and European Security.
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Thursday 18Travelled Baldonnel to Brussels — (accompanied Taoiseach — Government Jet)
Overnight x1
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217.00
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5
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Friday 19Returned Brussels to Cork
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Purpose of Trip:The Minister and Taoiseach attended the European Council. The Minister met with his EU colleagues to discuss Afghanistan and Pakistan, Burma, European Security, the Middle East Peace Process and Iran.
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