Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 168: To ask the Taoiseach the annual cost to his Department of Ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements; and the event and the expense for same in each of the past ten years. [33088/09]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The following table details the annual cost to my Department of Ministerial expenses related to overseas travel engagements for the years 1999 to August 2009.

Typically the costs are in respect of the Taoiseach, Private Office Staff, and Security and include the following:

foreign subsistence,

hotel costs,

air fares,

taxi expenses,

car hire,

telecommunication expenses,

ferry charges,

road tolls,

carbon emission charges and

other receipted expenses.

It should be noted that the majority of costs in relation to the Minister of European Affairs are in respect of Private Office staff, as the Minister's expenses are paid by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The table below details overseas travel engagements by the Taoiseach from 1st of January 2008 to end August 2009:

The table below details overseas engagements attended by the Chief Whip, Mr Pat Carey, T.D. from 1st of January 2008 to end August 2009:

The table below details the events attended by the Minister of State for European Affairs from 1st of January 2008 to end August 2009:

It is not practicable to provide all of the details of the events attended over the last ten years, however I would be happy to provide details in relation to any specific queries the Deputy may have.