Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 701: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the bodies under the aegis of his Department which have not provided him with a 2004 annual report; and in the case of each body from whom he has received such a report if same has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. [2279/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently four bodies under the aegis of my Department: the Advisory Board for Development Co-operation Ireland; the Development Education Advisory Committee, DEAC; the Díon committee; and the Ireland — United States Commission for Educational Exchange, known as the Fulbright Commission.

The Advisory Board for Development Co-operation Ireland published its annual report for 2004 in June 2005. There is no requirement for the annual report to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. However, a copy of the report was sent to each member of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs.

The Development Education Advisory Committee, DEAC, offers policy advice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Development Co-operation Ireland on development education and on ways to increase knowledge and understanding of development issues in Ireland. Its members are appointed for a period of two years in their personal capacity and do not receive any remuneration. DEAC does not produce an annual report.

The Díon committee advises me on applications for funding from organisations that support our emigrants in Britain, as well as on issues of interest and concern to the Irish community. With the exception of the Chair and secretary, who are serving officials in the Embassy of Ireland in London, the committee members serve in a voluntary capacity. The Díon committee does not produce an annual report. Details of my decisions on grants awarded to support our emigrants in Britain and elsewhere are published regularly.

The Fulbright Commission is statutorily obliged to annually submit audited financial statements for presentation to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The financial statement for the year ended 30 September 2004 has recently been received in my Department and will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly.