Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of credit cards held by his Department; the cost of same for each year since 2000 to date in 2007; the persons who hold these cards and for whom they are used; the annual amounts purchased; the cumulative interest on same for each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33582/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has arrangements in place with two credit card companies to issue charge cards to officials who travel on official business on a regular basis. This facility is available to staff as an alternative to using their personal credit cards for official business purposes. The charge cards are generally used to cover costs such as hotel accommodation and train fares. At present, 57 staff of my Department hold charge cards under this arrangement, although some staff continue to use their personal credit cards for business related transactions.

Staff who are issued with charge cards under the arrangement outlined above hold individual accounts with the issuing credit card company. They are responsible for clearing the amounts incurred on their accounts, including any interest charged. Therefore, my Department does not directly incur costs in relation to purchases or interest on credit or charge cards. Staff are entitled to reclaim travel, subsistence and other official expenses from my Department in accordance with civil service regulations. Expenses of this nature are paid directly to the officers concerned who may use the refunds to settle their credit card accounts.

My Department pays Government Stamp Duty on credit cards used for official transactions. The total cost of Stamp Duty paid on credit cards from 2000 to the present in 2007 is set out on the table. The amounts on the table include some costs associated with the processing of Stamp Duty payments.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost to his Department of photographers used by all Ministers in his Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; andif he will make a statement on the matter. [33597/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is estimated that the cost of photography for all the Ministers in my Department on a yearly basis for each year since 1997 was as follows:

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of make-up for him for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33612/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I have had no make-up costs since my appointment as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the cost of his Department's entertainment allowance for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33627/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I assume that the Deputy is seeking details of the amount spent by my Department on official entertainment for each of the years in question. Official entertainment includes the hosting of official lunches, dinners and receptions and is governed by Department of Finance guidelines.

The amount spent by my Department on official entertainment for each year from 1997 to the present is set out on the table. Expenditure for 2004 includes a sum of €268,357.49 in respect of functions associated with Ireland's Presidency of the EU.