Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 177: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of State boards, agencies, regulators or other bodies under his remit; the cost of these bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46054/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are no state boards, agencies or regulatory bodies operating under the responsibility of my Department. However, there are currently three bodies; two Advisory Committees and one Educational Commission, which operate under the aegis of my Department. All members serving on these bodies do so in a voluntary capacity and are not in receipt of a salary or fee.

The Development Education Advisory Committee was established in 2003 following the recommendations of the Ireland Aid Review Committee. Its purpose is to advise the Minister, the Minister of State and Irish Aid on development education policy. This Advisory Committee has no distinct budget and administrative support is provided by the Irish Aid division of my Department. A small amount of travel related costs are incurred by member's attendance at committee meetings, approximately €2,500 annually.

The Government Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (previously known as Díon) was set up in 1984 to advise the Government on the welfare of the Irish community in Britain. The Committee's primary role is to advise on the distribution of Government support to voluntary agencies providing front line services and community care to Irish people in Britain. This Advisory Committee has no distinct budget and administrative support is provided by the Irish Embassy in London. A small amount of travel related costs are incurred by members attendance at committee meeting, approximately €1,000 annually.

The Fulbright Commission (The Board of the Ireland – United States Commission for Educational Exchange) finances study, research, teaching and other educational activities between Ireland and the United States of America. As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I have some statutory obligations in regard to this organisation, including the appointment of four members of the eight-member Commission. My Department makes an annual grant in aid payment to the Commission which in 2008 was €254,000, a figure which represented approximately 25% of the Commission's budget for that year.