Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 76: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the amount her Department and its agencies spent on the use of taxis in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22666/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department operates a taxi account with National Radio Cabs for the transport of officials of the Department/Offices of the Department on official business. The amounts spent by the Department and the Offices of the Department in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 are as follows: 2007 - €45,318; 2008 - €56,238; 2009 (to date) - €9,082. The figures do not include expenditure on taxis by officials of the Department/Offices of the Department while abroad on official business; it would be impossible to supply this information in the time available.

The use of taxis by officials of my Department/Offices of my Department is constantly kept under review by the Department and in light of the current economic situation officials of the Department/Offices of the Department have been urged to curtail where possible their use of taxis for official purposes and to use public transport facilities whenever possible. I am not in a position to provide the information sought by the Deputy in relation to the State Agencies under the control of my Department as such information falls within the day-to-day administration of the State Agencies concerned.