Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 271: To ask the Minister for Transport the cost in relation to foreign travel, accommodation and related ministerial and official costs associated with St. Patrick's Day 2008; and the plans related to St. Patrick's Day 2009 and the projected cost. [6165/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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In 2008, I represented the Government in Australia. My Press Advisor and Private Secretary travelled with me. Details of the cost:

Hotel costs: €6,625.53

Flight costs: €25,639.79

Car hire: €3,982.99

VIP Service: €181.49

Subsistence: €1,700

Gifts: €135

There are no details available for this year.

The following is the itinerary for Minister for Transport Deputy Noel Dempsey on his visit to Australia for St. Patrick's Day 2008.

Programme

Tuesday 11 March — Canberra

06.25 Arrive Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport & transfer to domestic terminal

08.10 Depart for Canberra

09.05 Arrive Canberra International Airport Met on arrival by Ambassador Mairtin Ó Fainin & Aidan Cronin, First Secretary

12.20 Arrive at Parliament House

12.30 Official Lunch with committee members of Australia-Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group

14.00 Attend Question Time

16.00 Meeting with Federal Minister for Transport Mr. Anthony Albanese

18.00 Ambassador's St. Patrick's Day Reception — Minister addresses & conveys St. Patrick's Day greetings to assembled guests

Wednesday 12 March — Canberra/Melbourne

07.45 Depart hotel for airport

09.45 Arrive Melbourne

10.30 Meeting with Computershare Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Tom Honan

12.30 Tourism Ireland business lunch — Minister addresses guests

18.00 Reception hosted by Ambassador Ó Fainin — Minister addresses guests

Thursday 13 March — Melbourne

09.00 Meeting with Victorian Minister for Police & Emergency Services, Mr. Bob Cameron MLA

10.15 Depart for the Australian Irish Welfare Bureau, 440a High Street, Northcote

10.45 Morning coffee with staff & volunteers and members of Melbourne Irish-Australian community — Minister conveys Irish greetings

11.45 Depart for Enterprise Ireland business lunch

12.15 Enterprise Ireland business lunch — Minister gives address & extends Irish Government greetings and message

15.00 Meeting with Victorian Minister for Public Transport, Ms. Lynne Kosky MLA

19.00 St. Patrick's Dinner at The Hotel Windsor, 103 Spring St. — Minister addresses guests & conveys Irish Government greetings & message

Friday 14 March — Melbourne/Sydney/Brisbane

06.30 Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce St. Patrick's Day Breakfast — Minister addresses invited guests

08.30 Depart Crown Palladium for airport

00.00 Depart Melbourne for Sydney

11.20 Arrive at Sydney domestic airport

11.30 Depart airport for Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour

12.30 Lansdowne Club Lunch, Sydney Convention Centre — Minister addresses guests

14.30 Depart Convention Centre for domestic airport

16.05 Depart Sydney for Brisbane

16.35 Minister and party arrive in Brisbane

18.15 Pre-dinner Reception — Minister is guest of honour

18.45 St. Patrick's Dinner — Minister addresses guests & delivers Irish Government greetings & message

Saturday 15 March — Sydney

10.00 Review Brisbane St. Patrick's Day Parade

14.00 Depart for Sydney

17.45 Arrive Sydney airport

Sunday 16 March

09.00 Represents the Government in St. Patrick's Church

10.30 Pre-parade reception hosted by Consul General — Minister addresses guests

12.00 Review parade — Minister is guest of honour

13.00 Attends family day celebrations in Hyde Park — and meet with various Irish Communities

Monday 17 March — St. Patrick's Day

09.00 Meeting with Rob Gilmore, GHD (IDA Client)

10.00 Presentation by Albert Montocchio, G.M of Transtank/Steelbro (IDA client)

11.00 Interview with the Irish Echo

12.00 Tourism Ireland Business lunch — Minister speaks & conveys Irish Government greetings & message

15.00 Attends Briefing by Paul Hayes, General Manager, Camera Enforcement Branch, NSW Road & Traffic Authority

18.20 Consul General's St. Patrick's Day reception for the Irish community and business people — Minister addresses guests

Tuesday 18 March

10.00 Meeting with Memorial Committee and presentation of Famine Memorial award at Hyde Park Barracks

12.30 Depart Sydney for Adelaide

Wednesday 19 March

Informal Meeting with Members of the Irish Club in Adelaide Meeting with Mr Pat Conlon, Minister for Transport, South Australia

19.30 Depart Adelaide.