Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 739: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount of money that was spent on taxis by his Department in the past year; the amount of money that has been provided for in the next year for taxi services for his Department; the times that taxis can be used by staff members; the terms under which staff members can use taxis; the amount that was used by staff members; the amount that was used by outsiders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22717/11]

Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent)
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Question 754: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the amount his Department has spent on taxis for staff and for others in each of the past four years. [23291/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 739 and 754 together.

My Department uses taxis in the course of its work for a variety of purposes where the use of other public transport is not possible for reasons of practicality i.e. the necessity to carry official documents, timetable of public transport, loss of official time etc. These taxis costs are generally covered by existing budgets including, for example, travel and subsistence. There is no specific annual budget assigned to taxi costs.

The amount of money spent on taxis since 2007 until 31 August 2011 is listed in the following table.