Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Taoiseach 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. [33589/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The total number of credit cards currently held by my Department is 29. The annual cost of supplying credit cards, the amounts purchased and any interest payments for each year from 2000 to date are detailed in the table.

Credit cards are allocated to Office Holders and Officials where this facility will be of practical use in meeting the requirements of official business, for example, to facilitate meeting of travel expenses and official entertainment, the procurement of goods and services such as on-line conferences bookings, air travel, purchase of IT equipment and library supplies. In general, credit cards are allocated to office holders and senior officials including Ministers, Secretaries General, Assistant Secretaries, Special Advisers, Private Secretaries and Heads of Divisions where appropriate.

While a credit card has been assigned to me by the Department, I have not had occasion to use it. The current holders are myself, the Chief Whip, Secretary General, Private Secretary to the Taoiseach, Private Secretary to the Minister of State Roche, Assistant Secretaries (5), Press Officer to the Government, Head of Government Information Services, Special Adviser to Taoiseach (2), Special Adviser to the Minister of State, Programme Manager Green Party, Principal Officers (5), Finance Officer (2), Personnel Officer, Assistant Principal Officer — Protocol, Higher Executive Officer — Management Services, Chairman — National Forum on Europe, Director — National Forum on Europe and Director — Ireland Newfoundland Partnership.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 130: To ask the Taoiseach 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. [33604/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The total cost of photographers used by my Department from 1997 to date is detailed in the table.

The costs in question relate to the engaging of photographers by the Government Information Service for the purpose of recording events of public importance and the dissemination of the photographic records to the media.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Taoiseach 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. [33619/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The total spend by my Department on make-up services from 1997 to date are detailed in the table.

With regard to the use of make up services, since the advent of television, people appearing before camera under artificial lighting conditions are required to use make-up to counter the effects of the strong lighting that is used by media organisations in such circumstances. The Taoiseach is no exception in this regard. Successive Taoisigh have been required to use make-up under these conditions when being interviewed for television or video broadcast, etc.

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Taoiseach 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. [33634/07]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department's expenditure on entertainment for each year from 1997 to date is detailed in the table.

Most of this expenditure is in relation to State protocol, such as State dinners and receptions organised in association with visits by Heads of State or Heads of Government. It also includes entertainment of other foreign dignitaries and other official entertainment such as arises in association with official meetings and events.