Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the security issues, the Garda was more than anxious to provide security facilities but I declined those because they are available if required.

Regarding the extra items of funding, there is €1 million for the diaspora. It is the first time we have ever had a Minister dealing directly with diaspora and I appointed Deputy Jimmy Deenihan, with the consent of the Government, to that office at my Department and at the Department of Foreign Affairs in order for it to be very much co-ordinated. Given the capacity to tie our diaspora together in all the different countries, it is an important dimension to our Irishness as we approach the centenary in 2016.

The sum for data protection is €500,000. As the Deputy is aware, the Data Protection Commissioner has an office in Portarlington and that will continue to be there. Data protection will be a central economic issue and what we want to do, in appointing a Minister of State with direct responsibility for this, based in the Department of the Taoiseach to give it that imprimatur, is to be a leader in regulation and data protection. Given all of the multinational companies that are in Ireland, the formation of companies and the interest there is in investing in the country, it is critical from an economic perspective that we are seen to be in a leading role in this area. That is the responsibility of the Minister of State, Deputy Dara Murphy, appointed to my Department.

On the issue of PPS numbers, the Department of Social Welfare has responsibility in that regard.

A sum of €150,000 has been allocated for travel. We are down to one flying instrument at the moment and we will have to travel as everyone else does, which I am well used to anyway.

There is €200,000 for IT.

A sum of €3.3 million has been allocated for the Moriarty tribunal third party costs. These costs are up to the judge. He sets those and engages with the Department as required.

The figure of €400,000 for EU personnel is an important investment in the future, in order that we have good people employed within the institutions of the Commission.

The Fennelly commission of investigation costs of €1.5 million to run in a full year.

In respect of pay, subhead A1, €900,000 is provided because there is an extra payday in this year, costing €350,000, and because there is a small number of extra staff to support new responsibilities. The Deputy asked about the staff of the Taoiseach. As of today, there are four special advisers, five personal assistants and two personal secretaries working in my private office and the constituency office. The annual cost of the staff currently employed is €910,153. One personal assistant in the private office will be finishing up in March of this year. The cost of the office under the previous Administration was €1.237 million, so there is a difference of about €330,000.