Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 377: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the statutory bodies for which he has responsibility; and the date of establishment of each of these statutory bodies. [3092/08]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 378: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the annual operating cost for each of the past five years of each statutory body for which he has responsibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3107/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 377 and 378 together.

At present, there is only one organisation which operates under the aegis of my Department which was established on a statutory basis, the Ireland-United States Commission for Educational Exchange (the Fulbright Commission).

The Fulbright Commission finances study, research, teaching and other educational activities between Ireland and the United States of America. It was established in 1957 by means of the Scholarship Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1957 as amended by the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1991.

As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have certain specific statutory responsibilities in respect of the Fulbright Commission. Under section 3(1) of the 1991 Act, I am responsible for the appointment of four members of the eight-member Commission. Under section 5(10) of the 1991 Act, I am also responsible for laying before both Houses of the Oireachtas, a copy of the annually audited accounts of the Ireland-United States Educational Fund and the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon. However, the Fulbright Commission enjoys 'autonomy of management and administration', by reason of section 2(5) of the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America), Act, 1991.

In each of the past five years, my Department has given Grant-in-Aid of €254,000 per annum to the Commission.