Vol. 495 No. 1
365 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if, in relation to official visits abroad since January 1998, he will give details regarding the location, purpose of trip, mode of transport, duration of stay, persons accompanying him and the cost of each visit to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19417/98]
I can inform the Deputy that I have undertaken six official visits abroad this year, three of which relate to European Union justice and home affairs business. The specific details sought by the Deputy in relation to these official visits are set out below. The costs shown for each visit are based on the travel and subsistence costs which have been brought to account in my Department to date. I should mention that it can be some time before all invoices and other bills are received and brought to account in the Department and that, where travel related to business with the European Union, some costs are refundable.
European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Birmingham, England on 29 and 30 January 1998. The mode of transport used was the Government jet. I was accompanied on this visit by my private secretary, my press officer and four officials of my Department. The total costs paid by my Department to date in respect of this visit is £624.83.
Representing the Government at St. Patrick's Day parades in New Orleans, San Antonio and Dallas from 13 March to 20 March 1998. This visit also included official visits to prisons and drug courts. The mode of transport used was scheduled flights. I was accompanied on this visit by my wife and my private secretary. The total costs paid by my Department to date in respect of this visit is £12,146,52
Europol and European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council meetings in The Hague and Brussels on 27, 28 and 29 May 1998. The mode of transport used was scheduled flights. I was accompanied on this visit by my private secretary, my press officer and two officials of my Department. The total costs paid by my Department to date in respect of this visit is £2,871.30
Address to the United Nations Special Assembly on Drugs (UNGASS) New York on 5 to 10 June 1998. The mode of transport used was a scheduled flight. I was accompanied on this visit by my wife, my private secretary, my special adviser, my press officer and one official of my Department. The total costs paid by my Department to date in respect of this visit is £16,576.06
European Union Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on 23 and 24 September 1998. The mode of transport used was the Government jet. I was accompanied on this visit by my private secretary and three officials of my Department. The total costs paid by my Department to date in respect of this visit is £225.56
