Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a replacement Minister was not sent to address the AGSI conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19263/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that for personal reasons I was not in a position to attend at the AGSI conference on 14 April. I was also scheduled to attend a meeting in Luxembourg on Tuesday 15th April in relation to my duties as Minister for Defence. Both of these points were conveyed to the General Secretary of AGSI and, while he was understandably disappointed, he understood the position in which I found myself. Officials from my Department attended the conference and the question of arranging for a replacement speaker to make an address on my behalf did not arise.