Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 675: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the details of each gift, favour and hospitality received, both over and under the value of €650, since May 2007 to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1512/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Ministers, Ministers of State, and Special Advisers are required to make an annual statement of registerable interests to the Standards in Public Office Commission, as set out in the Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001. Statements of registerable interests must include any gifts of a value in excess of that set out in the Ethics in Public Office Acts (currently €650).

I have made annual returns for 2007, 2008 and 2009. I did not receive any gifts over the value of €650 during the period in question. In regard to gifts received under the value of €650, these are not declared in the annual statement of interests. A comprehensive list of such gifts is not maintained; however, I can assure the Deputy that receipt of such gifts is unusual and that they are generally token in nature.