Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The total spend by my Department on photography since March 2011 is €30,629. Increasingly, my Department utilises its own staff to take photographs in-house, thereby reducing costs. The comparable cost in 2008, for example, was €83,398. However, for major events and inward State visits my Department continues to use the services of a professional photographic agency. There were a number of major events last year, including the visit of President Obama. Royal visit costs were met by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The monthly breakdown of photography costs from March 2011 to date was as follows: March 2011, €2,559; April 2011, €0; May 2011, €160; June 2011, €14,051; July 2011, €7,090; August 2011, €1,015: September 2011, €683; October 2011, €0; November 2011, €561; December 2011, €4,510; and January 2012 to date, €0. Deputy Martin has all the photographs he wants.

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