Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 236: To ask the Minister for Finance the estimated cost in relation to foreign travel, accommodation and related ministerial and official costs associated with St. Patrick's day 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12818/10]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I did not travel abroad in an official capacity for Saint Patrick's Day 2010.

Minister of State Martin Mansergh visited the Netherlands and Belgium from Monday 15th March and returned Thursday morning 18th March. He was accompanied by his Private Secretary for the duration of the trip and by the Office of Public Works Chief Engineer for his visit to the Netherlands. All costs have not been received as yet as some were dealt with directly by the Department of Foreign Affairs and will be invoiced in due course. When all costs have been itemised, a reply will issue to the deputy. The itinerary for Minister Mansergh's trip is set out as follows. Visit to the Netherlands by Dr. Martin Mansergh TD Minister of State at the Departments of Finance and Arts Sport and Tourism 15th March 2010 – 17th March 2010 Monday 15th.

Tuesday 16th

Wednesday 17th

1. Following the collapse of the Dutch government, Minister Camiel Eurlings has assumed responsibility for all portfolios in the Ministry.

2. From 4 September to 5 December 2010 the National Gallery in Dublin will host an exhibition of works by Gabriel Metsu, a 17th Century Dutch painter. The Metsu exhibition will then go to the Rijksmuseum from 21 December to 21 March 2011. This exhibition presents an opportunity to present Dublin and Ireland as a Cultural Destination of significance. The press reception on March 15th aims (1) to present Dublin as a cultural "City Break" destination with a wealth of cultural things to see and do, and (2) to announce a group trip to Dublin in September for Dutch press, which will offer a sneak preview of the exhibition. The target audience (of 40 people) at the press reception will be National Press ( Lifestyle, Newspapers, Travel trade and specialist media), and Irish business and agency contacts in the Netherlands.

3. The Regional Water Authorities are concerned, inter alia, with water control/management, and in the development and implementation of international policy (EU). From their web page: "To exchange knowledge and experiences, Regional Water Authorities cooperate with foreign authorities and institutions. To this end, they (via the Association of Regional Water Authorities) are involved in international organisations working in the field of water management, like EUREAU and EUWMA. There is foreign interest in the manner in which the Netherlands organises its water management and in which Regional Water Authorities play a keyrole. The Dutch Association of Regional Water Authorities is a member of the Netherlands Water Partnership, the platform of the Dutch water sector. Dutch expertise can play a role in solving problems elsewhere. But foreign experiences can also contribute to Dutch water management. Whether it concerns joint solutions to shared (cross-border) problems, exchange of expertise, or application of expertise abroad, it is impossible to imagine life without international cooperation in the world of water. Nearly all Regional Water Authorities have developed international activities. In total, over 35 countries are involved."

4. The Ireland Netherlands Business Association (INBA) is a business networking association which works closely with Irish state agencies and the broader Dutch and Irish business communities in the Netherlands. Its membership ranges from international public companies to small and medium sized companies and semi-state organisations. Through periodic networking events, INBA provides a forum for networking and communication. These networking events include twice yearly dinners, the invitation lists for which are drawn from across the Netherlands-Ireland business communities. Recent speakers at INBA dinners include former Taoisigh Dr. Garret FitzGerald and Bertie Ahern, entrepreneur Harry Crosbie, U2 Manager Paul McGuinness, Former Minister for Finance Ruari Quinn, Dutch Minister for European Affairs Frans Timmermans, and Peter Sutherland SC, Chairman of BP plc. and of Goldman Sachs International, and UN Special Representative for Migration and Development.