Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 202: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the staff of regional offices of an organisation (details supplied) have been without pay for the past four weeks due to the current dispute between his Department and the chief executive officer of the organisation; his views on putting in place an interim arrangement to pay the salary of those staff pending the resolution of the dispute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3925/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am aware of the regrettable situation in relation to the organisation referred to by the Deputy.

My Department is in close contact with the organisation concerned. I am glad to say that significant progress is now being made towards securing a viable financial agreement between both parties that can stand up to scrutiny from a good governance perspective.

The priority is to quickly put in place the necessary structures to justify State funding to meet the organisation's liabilities as well as to ensure continuing support to disability groups through its networks.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 203: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of press conferences and policy launches which were held by his Department in 2007 and 2008; the cost of hosting each one; if he will supply the information in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3711/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There have been twenty eight press conferences or policy launches held in my Department since the beginning of 2007. Details of these events, including any costs incurred, are presented in tabular form.

Most of the events were press conferences. These usually take place at my Department's headquarters or, on occasion, at the Government Press Centre in Government Buildings. There are generally no cost implications for formal press conferences, or from informal or so called 'doorstep' press conferences. As the Deputy will see from the table, my press conferences are normally either connected with a policy initiative or, more commonly, are joint events with visiting Foreign Ministers or similar office holders.

A number of important policy launches also occurred within the timeframe of this question. Most of these related to the Irish Aid programme, the European Union or policy initiatives in the area of Consular services provided to our citizens abroad.