Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

I am interested in the costs involved but the Taoiseach stated it is difficult to provide that information, although the Wicklow meeting cost €8,031. Have the costs in general increased in recent years? When I raised the issue previously, the Taoiseach stated very little money was available for Cabinet meetings outside Dublin. Has the position changed? Will he take into account the special case that could be made to hold meetings in rapidly expanding commuter belt communities as well as further afield? Perhaps Wicklow falls into that category but the Taoiseach should appreciate the difficulties people in such communities face in their day-to-day lives. The population has exploded and facilities are not available. I mentioned Swords yesterday during Leaders' Question as a case in point. Has the Taoiseach plans to take on board people's wishes to meet in towns such as this? They are under the impression the difficulties they face are not appreciated as they try to cope with commuting, child rearing and a lack of facilities.

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