Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 308: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [6162/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In 2008, my predecessor, Brian Lenihan, T.D., travelled to Boston to represent the Government at St. Patrick's Day celebrations held there. In addition to traditional aspects of the programme the Minister also took part in a number of industrial promotion events in Massachusetts and held meetings with law enforcement leaders there. He also gave an address at the Kennedy School of Government on the theme of "Law, Order and Community in the New Ireland". The travel, accommodation and related costs of the visit, including the cost of accompanying persons, was €37,052. The Minister for Integration, Conor Lenihan, T.D. represented the Government at St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Toronto. The travel, accommodation and related costs of the visit, including the cost of accompanying persons, was €27,211.

The 2009 St. Patrick's Day Ministerial Programme has yet to be finalised and, accordingly, it is not possible to provide projected costs at this stage. The Deputy can be assured that the cost of any overseas St. Patrick's Day visits made this year will be kept to an absolute minimum.