Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total spend by his Department on carbon offsets for official travel undertaken by him and his Minister of State for 2007, 2008, 2009 and to date in 2010; to whom this money, if any, has been awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30281/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since June 2007 my Department has paid a carbon offsetting charge in respect of all air travel undertaken. This scheme also encompasses air travel undertaken by myself and Ministers of State at my Department. The total air miles travelled is calculated, yielding a level of emissions. A reference price per tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted is then used to calculate the amount of carbon offsetting charge due. The reference price is determined by the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government on an annual basis. The amounts paid since 2007 are outlined below in tabular form. The payment for 2010 will not fall due until early 2011.

Payments of carbon offsetting charges are made to The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, Vienna, who administer the scheme for the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 244: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total cost of travel and subsistence to public servants in his Department arising from travel to meetings or events in Dublin and Brussels from offices that have been decentralised for 2010 to date, for 2009, and for 2008; if he will state to whom this money, if any, has been awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30296/10]

Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's programme of development assistance is managed by Irish Aid, which is an integral part of the Department of Foreign Affairs. The decentralisation to Limerick of the headquarters of Irish Aid was completed in October 2008.

The total amounts paid in travel and subsistence to officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs who are based in Limerick, for travel from Limerick to meetings or events in Dublin and Brussels, are displayed in the accompanying table

As with any decentralised office, some travel by officials to and from Dublin will continue to be required. Travel to EU meetings in Brussels is a regular feature of the work of most Divisions of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Department has taken steps to reduce travel costs by investing in video conference technology, which is used by officials of Irish Aid for many meetings with Dublin-based officials, and for a wide range of meetings with our missions abroad. The Department operates comprehensive travel and subsistence regulations and procedures which are fully in line with Department of Finance travel policy. Travel and subsistence claims by officials are reimbursed in accordance with the standard public sector rates, as specified by the Department of Finance.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 245: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total spend of his Department on public advertisements in national and local print media, radio and television for 2009 and to date in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30311/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Public advertising undertaken by my Department typically includes advisory notices on public opening hours over holiday periods, changes in passport application procedures and fees, and public information notices relating to significant developments in the European Union or in regard to Ireland's Official Development Assistance programme, Irish Aid.

While much of this material is now placed on the Department's website, a certain level of advertising continues to be necessary in order to reach all of our customers, particularly in relation to important changes to passport and consular services.

The table gives the details of such advertising in national and local print media, radio and television under Votes 28 (Foreign Affairs) and 29 (International Cooperation) for 2009 and to date in 2010.

The expenditure in 2009 for vote 28 included the sum of €247,615 in relation to EU information and awareness and a further sum of €122,762 spent on advertising in connection with information on the Lisbon Treaty.