Written answers

Tuesday, 20 April 2010

Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation

Departmental Expenditure

9:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 183: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question No. 159 of 23 March 2010, if he will furnish the details of the costs, or if not yet available, the estimates regarding foreign travel, accommodation and related ministerial and official costs associated with St. Patrick's Day 2010. [15744/10]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The following is the information requested by the Deputy, insofar as it is currently available: (1) Tánaiste and Minister in the Department at the time (Mary Coughlan T.D.) – Representing Ireland at events in Munich, Berlin and Marberg, Germany:

· Travel costs of €669 (Minister, Private Secretary and 1 Official). This represents the cost of internal flights in Germany. The Government Lear jet was used to fly the party between Ireland and Germany.

· Accommodation costs of €1,296

· Other related costs were €902

(2) Minister of State Kelleher – Representing Ireland at events in Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and Canberra, Australia:

· Travel costs of €16,342 (Minister, Private Secretary and one Official)

· Accommodation costs of €4,417 (with the hotel bill for Melbourne yet to be received)

· Other related costs were €4,310

(3) Minister of State Lenihan – Representing Ireland at events in Vietnam:

· Travel costs of €6,773 (Minister and Private Secretary)

· Accommodation costs of €1,545

· Other related costs were €1,262

(4) Minister of State Calleary – Representing Ireland at events in Toronto, Canada and Boston, USA:

· Travel costs of €3,682 (Minister and Private Secretary)

· Accommodation costs of €2,033

· Other related costs were €3,054

The costs outlined above are a mix of actual costs incurred (e.g. flights) and estimates of local costs incurred when exchange rates are applied (e.g. hotel bills) and not all costs have yet been approved for payment by the Department. Accordingly, the final aggregate cost for each event may vary from the figures given above.

Finally. "other related costs" would include car hire, gifts for presentation to receiving dignitaries and subsistence.

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