Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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161. To ask the Taoiseach if he will provide details of all official foreign trips he and Ministers of State in his Department plan to take between now and the end of 2015; if he will provide details of whom he and the Ministers of State in his Department will be meeting while on these trips; the purpose of these trips; the duration of these trips; his plans to use all of these trips to promote Ireland as a good place for doing business and as a destination for foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20447/15]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The following are the details of my official travel and those of the Ministers of State in my Department, confirmed to date between now and the end of 2015.

My EU engagements for the rest of 2015 include attendance at European Council meetings with Heads of State and Government and attendance at informal meetings of EU Heads of State and Government in Brussels.

The meetings confirmed are:

25/26 June - European Council Brussels

15/16 October - European Council Brussels

17/18 December - European Council Brussels

It is my intention to participate in the EU-CELAC Summit (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States), which will be held in Brussels on 10/11 June. This summit brings together European, Latin American and Caribbean leaders to strengthen relations between both regions. The theme of the Summit is: "Shaping our common future: working for prosperous, cohesive and sustainable societies for our citizens". I also hope to meet other Heads of State over the coming months.

I plan to attend the British Irish Council Summit in London in November.

Mr. Dara Murphy T.D., Minister of State with special responsibility for EU and Data protection will attend the meetings set out below:

15/16 June - Justice and Home Affairs Council

23 June - General Affairs Council, Luxembourg

25/26 June - European Council Brussels

It is envisaged that Minister Murphy will attend the following Council engagements subject to the finalisation of the Luxembourg Presidency calendar:

14 September - General Affairs Council

13 October - General Affairs Council

15/16 October - European Council Brussels

17 November - General Affairs Council

15 December - General Affairs Council

17/18 December - European Council Brussels

Minister Murphy will also attend the EU-CELAC Foreign Ministers’ Summit (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) in Brussels in June.

Some additional travel related to the Minister’s responsibilities in both the EU and Data Protection areas is likely, but has not yet been scheduled.

The Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Jimmy Deenihan T.D., will travel to Colorado, Denver, Austin and San Antonio from 20-24 June. The purpose of the trip is to engage with the Irish Communities in these cities, including members of the business community.

Minister Deenihan will also travel to London on 30 June where he will launch an Irish Design 2015 ‘We Built this City’ event. The aim of the event is to highlight the contribution the Irish Diaspora has made to the building of cities such as London. While the Minister’s main role is to engage with Irish communities overseas, in those contacts and others, he will avail of every opportunity that arises to promote Ireland as a good place to do business and as a destination for foreign direct investment.

Mr. Simon Harris T.D. Minister of State with special responsibility for the OPW, Public Procurement and International Banking will undertake a series of visits abroad to promote Ireland as a hub for international financial services and the advancement of the IFS 2020 Strategy. He will meet with existing and prospective IDA clients and explore opening new markets for EI clients in the financial services area.

His visits include:

08-10 June: - Brussels, Frankfurt

09 September - Frankfurt

14 -18 September - Boston, New York

6 November - London

13 November - Brussels - Ecofin Budget Council

Minister of State Paul Kehoe does not have any plans for official travel in 2015.