Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Finance the number of foreign guests who stayed at Farmleigh House during 2004; if he has plans for greater access by community or voluntary groups to Farmleigh's facilities in view of its low level of usage as a Government guest house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7204/05]

Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)
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A total of 73 foreign guests stayed in Farmleigh in 2004, involving a total of 146 bed nights. Two high level foreign delegations stayed overnight in the main house involving a total of 45 people and 104 bed nights. The Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Kofi Annan, and his delegation was one of these. In addition 28 foreign guests stayed overnight in the courtyard residence, involving 42 bed nights. These stays related to the programme of cultural events managed by the Office of Public Works that had a particularly international focus in 2004.

Farmleigh experienced a very busy year in 2004 as the property was used by the Irish Government as one of the main venues for EU Presidency meetings and receptions. As a result of its extensive use during the EU Presidency it was not feasible to use the property for residential use during the first six months of the year.

The Office of Public Works operates a very comprehensive public access programme at Farmleigh. Approximately 110,000 people visited Farmleigh and enjoyed its facilities in 2004, through a combination of open access days, specific public events and booked tours. Very many community and voluntary groups make use of Farmleigh's facilities and amenities in this way, particularly through the booked tours. The Office of Public Works will continue to work at developing and improving its public access programme for the benefit of these groups and for the public generally.