Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I was surprised and shocked to learn of the amount of effort it took to deport the Africans yesterday. One was deported from Ireland, four from France and one from Italy, amounting to a total of six, yet they were accompanied on the jet by 25 police officers, or one for each limb, at a purported cost of more than €100,000. This clearly does not represent value for money and I therefore ask the Leader to have the Minister state whether he will review the procedures for deportations.

Like Senator Fitzgerald, I want to raise the issue of the cost of St. Patrick's Day visits. I agree completely that they represent a fantastic opportunity to promote Ireland. I was on a trip to London two years ago for the St. Patrick's Day parade and was lucky enough to be on the viewing stand in Trafalgar Square. The cost of my visit was less than €100 and I am therefore perplexed regarding why we need to send a Minister to Italy at a cost of €1,600 per night. Many of us have been to Italy and will realise that one can obtain fantastic rooms for a fifth of that price. Another Minister spent €19,000 on car hire on a trip to California. One can buy a car for that price. This again does not represent value for money. At such rates, it would be cheaper to get the Garda to deport the Ministers.