Written answers
Wednesday, 7 February 2024
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Official Travel
Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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121. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the number of times he has embarked on visits to foreign countries on behalf of the State since the formation of the Government; the geographical location of each visit; the number of days he spent abroad on such trips; the dates upon which each trip took place; and the associated travel and accommodation costs which were incurred by his Department in relation to each trip, in tabular form. [5247/24]
Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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Since the formation of the Government I have travelled abroad twice on behalf of the State. On the first occasion I travelled to Germany from March 14thto 18thas part of the Government’s St. Patrick’s Day Programme for a total of five days and four nights. My programme in Germany encompassed visits to Frankfurt, Cologne and Berlin. I should note that I, my Special Adviser and Private Secretary travelled to Frankfurt from Brussels following a meeting of the Eurogroup where we met with my Secretary General. We spent one night in Frankfurt, one night in Cologne and two nights in Berlin.
On the second occasion, I travelled to the United States from November 28thto December 1stfor a total of four days and three nights. I would note I departed the United States on the evening of December 1stand arrived into Dublin Airport the morning of December 2nd. My programme in the United States consisted of engagements in Washington DC and New York. We spent two nights in Washington DC and one night in New York.
As both visits also included engagements in my capacity as President of the Eurogroup, my Department was able to recoup the costs for my visits from the European Council.
A full breakdown of the travel costs for myself and Department officials is below.
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