Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 14: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the costs to his Department for the visits to Ireland by Queen Elizabeth II and the President of the USA. [15351/11]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 15: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the total costs to the State of the visits of Queen Elizabeth II of England and the President of the USA. [15352/11]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.

I understand that separate questions have been addressed by the Deputy to relevant Ministers regarding the costs incurred by their Departments in regard to these visits. With regard to my own Department, the final total costs of the recent visits by Queen Elizabeth II and President Barack Obama are not yet finalised. The projected cost of the visit by Queen Elizabeth is approximately €11,000 in respect of my Department. The bulk of this expenditure relates to the catering and transport arrangements for the wreath-laying ceremony in the War Memorial Gardens, Islandbridge. In excess of 570 guests attended this ceremony. The projected cost of the visit of President Obama is approximately €600,000. The main area of expenditure was the organisation of the large-scale public event in College Green. I anticipate that the US Government will make some contribution towards the cost of that event, but the precise amount has yet to be finalised. These costs must be seen in the context of the historic nature of the visits and the opportunities they present not only for trade, investment and tourism, but also in enhancing Ireland's international reputation and profile at a critical juncture.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Taoiseach forgot to answer Question No. 15.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No. I thought he answered it. Did the Taoiseach forget to answer Question No. 15?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

No. I said I would take both questions together. The first question is about the cost to my Department and I have outlined that for the Deputy. The second question concerned the total cost to the State of the visits. I do not have that information because it has not yet been finalised from each of the individual Departments involved.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In fairness, four weeks after the events, I think the Taoiseach should have a good estimate to report to Dáil Éireann. The costs for his own Department are relatively small compared with what the overall national cost will be. I want to hear the Taoiseach's current estimate of the overall national cost. I am sure he has inquired about that and has been told. With regard to the US Government's subvention, I think the Taoiseach should ask them to pay for the whole lot considering that they cost us perhaps €20 billion in vetoing the burning of bondholders in bad banks.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy was doing grand up to now, but he is straying away.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We might be talking about tens of millions of euro, so I hope the Taoiseach will give Members an estimate. Parents and children throughout the country are getting word that their special needs assistants in schools are being disgracefully cut. We had parents at the gates of Leinster House today in great distress-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

That is a totally different question.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----because their children are losing special needs assistants.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is totally out of order.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

How does the Taoiseach justify this huge cost of the recent State visits while making those disgraceful cuts at the same time?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is four weeks after the event. I am quite sure that in Deputy Higgins's own election, it took more than four weeks to finalise how he spent the €41,000 allowance he received as an Independent.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

You cannot spend that allowance on the election.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I must correct the Taoiseach again because he has made a false allegation or statement. I am not an Independent Deputy. I am a member of the Socialist Party and the United Left Alliance.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Gabh mo leithscéal. My apologies.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy will not get any answer now because his time is up.

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

In the same way as the Taoiseach must account for his party leader's account, so do I. It must be audited and then goes to the Department of Finance.

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Thank you, Deputy. That is very good news for us all.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I apologise. The Deputy is the leader of the esteemed Socialist Party. I stand corrected.

I expect the final cost of both State visits will be somewhat in excess of €20 million. The estimated generated separate print and media broadcast pieces were more than 38,000. The estimated cost of that is about €300 million, not to mention the impact in terms of Ireland's status and reputation and the global coverage that both visits received during that week.

Deputies:

Hear, hear.