Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 230: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of staff employed in each agency that derives from his Department at the end of 2007, 2008, and 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3211/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are no state agencies operating under the responsibility of my Department. There are two Advisory Committees and one Educational Commission, which operate under the aegis of my Department. 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, Minister of State and Irish Aid on policy regarding development education. All members serve in a voluntary capacity and it is serviced by my Department, therefore no staff are employed by the Committee.

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. All members serve in a voluntary capacity and it is serviced by our Embassy in London, therefore there are no staff employed by the Committee.

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, who serve in a voluntary capacity. However, The Fulbright Commission enjoys autonomy of management and administration in accordance with the Educational Exchange (Ireland and the United States of America) Act, 1991.