A Fine Gael TD has defended an Oireachtas visit to Australia, stating that the two-week trip was important for the promotion of trade and cultural links with the country.
Speaking from Canberra, Mr Bernard Durkan said the visit of six TDs and a senator had "serious objectives". These included liaising with Australian politicians and business interests and with the Irish community in Australia, he said.
Responding to criticism of the visit by the independent TD Mr Séamus Healy, Mr Durkan said: "This procedure has been established for as long as parliaments have existed because it's deemed by respective parliaments to be an important part of their work." Cities such as Sydney and Melbourne are on the itinerary, which takes in the regional and national parliaments in Australia.
The other members of the delegation are: the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil, Dr Rory O'Hanlon (FF); Senator Rory Kiely (FF), the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad; the Government Chief Whip, Ms Mary Hanafin (FF); the former Minister of State, Ms Liz O'Donnell (PD); the Fianna Fáil TD, Mr Jim Glennon; and the independent TD, Mr Tony Gregory.
Responding to media reports that the Irish Exchequer was paying for the trip, Mr Durkan said the Australian state was paying for travel and accommodation within Australia.
This was part of a reciprocal arrangement, whereby the Irish State paid for a visit to Ireland by Australian parliamentarians some years ago.
Mr Durkan said the TDs and senator travelled business class to Australia "for security reasons". They will be able to claim the cost of their air travel in their Oireachtas expenses, he said.
After the Evening Herald printed a photograph of the group during a visit last Sunday to the Jacob's Creek winery in the Barossa Valley, Mr Durkan said that any group of Australian parliamentarians visiting Dublin would be brought to the Guinness visitor centre.
An Oireachtas spokeswoman said the use of the photograph was akin to publishing a photograph of a TD or senator doing their shopping during their free time at the weekend.
