Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 315: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost in respect of 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. [6160/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Much careful consideration is given to determining the Ministerial programmes for St. Patrick's Day to ensure that Ireland's economic, trade, social and cultural interests are effectively represented and promoted. The cost of each of the individual Ministerial programmes is, however, a matter for individual Departments. I am not, therefore, in a position to provide the Deputy with costs for 2008 other than those incurred by my own Department. These costs are detailed below.

The then Minister for Foreign Affairs attended the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Argentina in 2008. The total cost of the visit, including the cost for the two officials and press advisor who accompanied him, was €44,150. The Minister of State for European Affairs, Dick Roche, travelled to China over the St. Patrick's Day period in 2008. The total cost of this visit, including the costs for the official who accompanied him, was €22,260. The then Minister of State for Overseas Development represented the Government at the Scottish St. Patrick's Day celebrations in 2008. The total cost of the visit, including the cost for the official who accompanied him, was €3,730.

The St. Patrick's Day Ministerial programme for 2009 is not yet finalised and projected costs cannot be determined at this stage. The cost of the individual programmes and accompanying delegations will, in all cases, be kept to a reasonable minimum. In view of the current difficult economic climate, the potential provided by these visits to promote trade and business opportunities will be maximised and will be a key component of the 2009 programmes.