Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 860: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number and name of newspapers purchased by his Department daily and weekly; the number provided to himself and to the Minister of State's office; the yearly cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33527/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that the number of newspapers purchased by my Department on a daily and weekly basis are as follows:

The total cost of the above newspapers to date in 2007 is €70,218.00.

I can also inform the Deputy that amongst the above figures are the newspapers which are supplied daily to my Office and to the Offices of the Minister of State at my Department.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 864: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [33587/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Eight officials of my Department are issued with credit cards of the type where outstanding balances are paid directly by the Department to the issuing credit card company. The total amount incurred on expenditure on these cards for the period 2005 to 2007 (to date) is €105,127. In addition, a further three similar type cards are currently on issue by my Department to senior officials of bodies associated with the Department. The expenditure incurred in respect of these cards for the period 2005 to 2007 (to date) was €100,639. A total of €49 was incurred in interest over the period 2005 to 2007.

I should also point out for the information of the Deputy that due to the nature of the duties of officials of my Department and its associated bodies, it is not possible to procure some goods and services other than by credit card. I am referring here to airline tickets and hotels where in some instances the suppliers insist on advance payment for the service or goods provided.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 865: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33602/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that the information requested for the years 2005, 2006 and for 2007 to date is set out in tabular form. All of the photography costs in question were in relation to official business.

Information in relation to the period prior to 2005 is not readily available.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 866: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [33617/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that my Department has incurred no costs on my behalf in this regard.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 867: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [33632/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The cost of my Department's official entertainment for the years 2005-2007 (the period for which records are readily available) is €171,940. These costs were incurred in hosting visiting dignitaries, official functions and so forth for my Department.