Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 366: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of any foreign trips made by him in the year 2010 and to date in 2011; the purpose of each trip; the costs associated with each trip broken down by air travel, ground transportation, hotel accommodation and entertaining expenses; if air travel was by way of commercial airline or Government jet; the exact mode of ground transportation used; the name of each hotel and the nature of the entertainment for which the expenses were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2676/11]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The following table summarises the international journeys made by me during 2010. I have made no international journeys to date in 2011. These flights were all made on commercial airlines.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of any foreign trips made by officials in his Department in the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the purpose of each trip; the costs associated with each trip broken down by air travel, ground transportation, hotel accommodation and entertaining expenses; if air travel was by way of commercial airline or Government jet; the mode of ground transportation used; the name of each hotel; the nature of the entertainment for which expenses were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2691/11]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The majority of foreign travel undertaken by officials from my Department involves attending European Union related meetings, usually in Brussels. Other foreign travel is undertaken as necessary to attend meetings on matters that are under the remit of my Department. The cost of many of these flights is recouped from the EU and at all times my Department seeks to minimise the costs of such travel. All flights were by commercial airline.

The following table shows the number of flight taken by officials from my Department in the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. It also contains details of the total costs of these flights, accommodation costs and ground transportation costs. Officials rarely incur entertainment expenses while travelling abroad on official business.

The detailed information sought by the Deputy relating to each trip undertaken by officials is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. If the Deputy requires details in relation to a specific foreign trip undertaken by officials from my Department I will endeavour to make that information available to her.

Figures for ground transportation and accommodation for the latter part of 2010 and for 2011 are on the basis of expenses claims paid to date.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 368: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of hotel accommodation used by him within the State while on ministerial duties in the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the name of each hotel in which he stayed; the costs associated with each stay and the purpose of each trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2721/11]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Details of the hotel accommodation within the State used by me while on Ministerial duty in 2009 and 2010 are outlined as follows. I have not used hotel accommodation while on Ministerial duties to date in 2011.

Date of stay: 30 January, 2009

Hotel: Galway Bay Hotel, Galway

Cost: €105

Purpose: Official engagements in Ennistymon and Carron, Co. Clare, followed by media interviews. Meetings with Galway City Lord Mayor, Galway City Manager, and TDs. On the following day, meetings with the Chair of the Heritage Council, representatives of local turf cutting interests and a deputation regarding the Athenry Sewerage Scheme, along with TDs.

Date of stay: 20 February, 2009

Hotel: Jury's Hotel, Cork

Cost: €179

Purpose: Address the University College Cork Planning School. Meeting with Ballincollig Tidy Towns Committee. Lunch meeting with business people in Kinsale. Launch of National Inventory of Architectural Heritage Report for North Cork in Fermoy. On the following day meeting with Dr. Áine Ryall, Faculty of Law, University College Cork.

Date of stay: 8 May, 2009

Hotel: Mount Brandon Hotel, Tralee

Cost: €69

Purpose: Attend Green Flag events in three schools in Co. Clare followed by media interviews. Visit to Limerick Youth Services Café followed by meeting with University of Limerick Environment Committee. On the following day I attended the opening of a Sheltered Housing Project in Tralee.

Date of stay: 28 May, 2009

Hotel: Kingsley Hotel, Cork

Cost: €129

Purpose: Meeting with Fermoy Boat Club committee followed by media interviews. Meeting with Cobh residents regarding Cobh Landslide Programme. On the following day I conducted media interviews and attended the An Taisce Green Flag Awards.

Date of stay: 20 November, 2009

Hotel: Cork Airport Hotel

Cost: €85.50 for accommodation and room charge and €185 for conference room hire.

Purpose: Meeting with Cork City and County Managers and the following day inspection of flood damage to Cork City and County.

Date of stay: 22 April, 2010

Hotel: Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork

Cost: €95

Purpose: To attend Engineers Ireland Conference.

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of any foreign trips made by officials in public bodies under the remit of his Department in the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, the purpose of each trip; the costs associated with each trip broken down by air travel, ground transportation, hotel accommodation and entertaining expenses; if air travel was by way of commercial airline or Government jet; the mode of ground transportation used; the name of each hotel; the nature of entertainment for which expenses were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2736/11]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Day to day operational matters, including foreign travel for officials of the agencies under the aegis of my Department, are matters for the agency or body concerned. The agencies have been reminded of the ongoing requirement to adhere to Department of Finance guidelines concerning travel, subsistence and associated expenses.