Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Defence if he will detail, in tabular form, the total photography costs for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the Ministerial allowance; the occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographers was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37370/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, following an EU-level advertised procurement process, has established a Framework Agreement comprising five firms for the provision of photography services. The Framework was established in February 2012 and is open for use by all Government Departments and Offices. It is my intention that my Department will avail of this Framework Agreement for any future photography needs.

I am satisfied that the usage and costs incurred in the hiring of photographers represents value for money. I remain committed to an overall policy of reducing costs and maximising efficiencies.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Defence if he will detail in tabular form, the total cost of providing entertainment for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the Ministerial allowance; the occasions for which entertainment was provided; the entertainers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion; if there is a policy regarding the booking of entertainers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37442/12]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Defence the amount spent on food and drink by his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37458/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1318 and 1319 together.

Since being appointed as Minister for Defence, I have not incurred any expenditure on entertainment. Since March 2011, my Department has incurred expenditure of €1,074 on entertainment. This expenditure relates to the hosting of a seminar on Irish and Finnish Perspectives on European Security and Defence Policy in September 2011. I wish to advise the Deputy that queries concerning my Ministerial Allowance are solely a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas and all future queries should be directed to that forum.

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Defence the amount spent on hair and make-up by his Department since he came to office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37474/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has not incurred any expenditure on hair and make-up since I took office in March 2011.