Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 656: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the estimated cost of 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. [12817/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I did not travel abroad for St. Patrick's Day, 2010. The Minister of State at the Department, Minister Michael Finneran, travelled to China to promote Irish interests, attending a range of business and cultural events there. The Minister was accompanied by one official. As invoices associated with most of the costs incurred on the trip have not yet been received by the Department, it is not possible to estimate the overall cost of the trip at this stage. However air travel costs for the visit amounted to €6,600. In making arrangements for the visit, every effort was made to ensure that costs were kept to the minimum practicable.