Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 136: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department or any of its agencies has paid in advance for works or services that will not be commenced before the end of the 2007 financial year; the reasons for doing this; the amount of the payments; the recipients and the nature of the works or services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34734/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has made advance payments in two instances in relation to services which will not be provided before the end of 2007. Firstly, in preparation for an international conference on cluster munitions which will take place in Dublin in May of next year, my Department has paid a deposit of €34,150 for the use of the Croke Park Conference Centre.

Secondly, in preparation for the Olympics to be held in Beijing in 2008, my Department has paid booking deposits of €23,210 on accommodation in Beijing, for the use of temporary additional staff and for visiting official delegations. Our Embassy in Beijing has advised that this advance booking is necessary in view of the severe pressure which will be on the available accommodation in the city at the time of the Olympics.