Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 45: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of the private rental properties leased by him; the location of each property; the annual value of each lease; if each lease is subject to an upward only rent clause and the name of the landlord in tabular form. [35251/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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All rent commitments relating to properties in the State occupied by the Department of Foreign Affairs are discharged by the Office of Public Works. In addition, 110 properties are rented by my Department outside the State for use primarily as offices and official residences.

Rental agreements vary from country to country in accordance with local law and practice. Leases are usually for a fixed period and many include rent review clauses. Rent increases on renewal of leases are generally in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) of the particular country. Rent levels abroad are reviewed each year. In addition, in the current economic climate, all our Missions are routinely instructed to explore the scope for negotiated reductions, having regard to local market conditions.