International Summits.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 November 2008

Thursday, 13 November 2008

Ceisteanna (182)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

182 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will confirm that his Department has received a proposal for the inclusion of a youth delegate in the Irish delegation to the 2009 United Nations General Assembly from a group (details supplied); if he will give favourable consideration to this proposal in view of the fact that a growing number of member states are including a youth delegate in their delegations; if he will commit to responding to the group regarding this proposal in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40572/08]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Deputy Micheál Martin)

In May 2008, the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) wrote to my Department requesting the inclusion of a youth delegate in Ireland's delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in 2009. My Department is considering the NYCI's proposal which, however, gives rise to a number of administrative and budgetary issues. Our UN Mission in New York has also been in contact with those of other Member States regarding the inclusion of youth delegates in their General Assembly delegations. In this regard, I understand that only some eighteen Member States out of a total of one hundred and ninety two have youth delegates in their delegations.

A reply will issue to the NYCI as soon as consideration of all the practical and financial issues arising is completed by my Department.