Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 187: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost incurred by his Department, for this year's overseas travel programme for St Patrick's Day, which saw the Taoiseach and eight Ministers heading abroad for the holiday; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17331/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I recently travelled to Australia and New Zealand with my Private Secretary as part of the Government's St. Patrick's Day Travel Programme from Tuesday, 13 March 2012 to Saturday, 24 March 2012. Over the course of this Programme, I travelled over 40,000 kilometres, engaged in 40 separate events which focused on:

Promoting trade and investment in Ireland;

Reaching out to the Irish communities and diaspora across Australia and New Zealand;

Strengthening high-level political links; and

Highlighting the Government's message that now is the time to invest in Ireland's recovery.

I met with both the Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard and the Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key. In addition, I also availed of this unique opportunity to meet with my Government counterparts in both countries to engage in discussions regarding a wide range of issues relevant to the work of both my Departments including meetings with:

· Mr. Greg Smith, New South Wales Minster for Justice and Attorney General;

· Dr. Jonathan Coleman, Minister for Defence (New Zealand);

· Mr. Andrew Phelan, Chief Executive and Principal Registrar of the Australian High Court (equivalent of the Supreme Court);

· Mr. Chris Bowen, Minister for Immigration Australia;

· Mr. Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs Australia;

· Commissioner Andrew Scipione, New South Wales Police Commissioner;

· Mr. Steve Mark, Legal Services Commissioner of New South Wales and I visited both a large and small size multi-disciplinary practice; and

· Justice Stuart Fowler, Co Chair of the Family Court of Australia.

Every possible attempt was made to keep costs to a minimum. To this end, flights to and from Australia were booked early in the planning stage. I travelled between engagements by the Ambassador's and Honorary Consulate's car, which were provided at no cost. When these cars were unavailable I travelled by taxi or, where possible, by foot instead of incurring a further cost by hiring a car on a daily basis. The total cost of the trip to my Department was €11,367.60, a breakdown of which is set out in the tables below.

I am sure the Deputy will agree that the importance of these visits, which are aimed at promoting Ireland and enhancing the existing relationships between our countries, cannot be underestimated given the current economic climate.

Flights (Minister & Private Secretary)

Accommodation (Minister & Private Secretary)

Transport