Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 955: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of providing transport including their official car to Ministers of State in his Department and staff for each year from 1997 to date in 2007. [33673/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The cost of providing transport to Ministers of State and staff in my Department amounted to €1.3m for the period in question. A breakdown of this expenditure is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 956: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost of him using public transport for every year since 1997 to date in 2007; and the cost of providing similar services to Ministers of State and staff for the same period. [33688/07]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 984: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the cost on a yearly basis for transport hire of any kind for his transport and that of his staff for each year since 1997 to date in 2007; the reason for such hire; if tenders were sought; the locations brought from and to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34093/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 956 and 984 together.

I refer to the reply to question No. 186 of 15 November 2007 in relation to public transport costs for myself and Ministers of State in my Department since I came into office. A breakdown of public transport costs for my predecessors and for Ministers of State since 1997 is not readily available and would take an inordinate amount of time and staff resources to compile.

The bulk of expenditure in relation to my transport is incurred by the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform which provides me with a Ministerial car and driver. The need to hire transport does not generally arise, therefore, apart from when on official business abroad. In this regard such costs are incurred by the Department of Foreign Affairs in the first instance.