Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 143: To ask the Taoiseach the cost of the State Funeral for former Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey; if he will provide a breakdown of the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25942/06]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The arrangements for the State Funeral of former Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey were in line with those for State Funerals generally. Costs arise broadly in four main areas as follows:

to my Department in relation to direct funeral expenses, the cost of refreshments afterwards, car and bus hire, florists costs, etc;

to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in respect of Garda security, traffic management and general policing of the occasion;

to the Department of Defence in respect of the ceremonial military involvement; and

to the Office of Public Works who supplied essential structures/barriers to meet security requirements, large screens, lighting and sound systems and other necessary infrastructure.

I am not in a position to give precise details of the costs in relation to my own Department as all the invoices have not yet been received. Preliminary estimates suggest a figure in the order of €70,000. Staff costs are not included in this estimate. The costs attributable to the Department of Defence are estimated to be in the order of €5,000. Staff costs are not included in this estimate. The costs attributable to the Office of Public Works are estimated to be in the order of €253,000. I am not in a position at this stage to give an estimate of costs arising for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.