Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Sep 1996

Vol. 469 No. 1

Written Answers. - Foreign Travel.

Ivor Callely

Question:

353 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Environment the projected number of visits which he will undertake between now and the end of December 1996, in the context of Ireland's Presidency of the EU, to EU member destinations, other European destinations, North American destinations, African destinations and other destinations; the total cost of such travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16640/96]

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Howlin)

As part of my duties as President-in-office of the Council of Environment Ministers of the European Union, I will be attending the following meetings between now and the end of December 1996.

Date	Meeting	Location
25 September	Environment and Public Health Committee of European Parliament.	Brussels
30 September	UNEP/UNCTAD Roundtable on Trade/Environment.	Geneva
4 October	Conference on Intergovernmental Conference/ Environment.	Berlin
15 October	Environment Council	Luxembourg
21/22 October	Baltic Sea Conference	Stockholm
13/14 November	Conference of Parties to Biodiversity Convention.	Buenos Aires
9/10 December	Environment Council	Brussels.

In addition, it may be necessary to attend the 8th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol — 25-27 November, Costa Rica — and/or a conference on local water management under the auspices of the Euro-Mediterranean process — Marseilles 25-26 November.

Information in regard to the cost of attendance at these meetings is not yet available as travel and accommodation arrangements have not been finalised.