asked the Taoiseach the cost of the purchase and postage of official Christmas cards sent out last Christmas by him and each individual Minister and Parliamentary Secretary; if any such person in any of the years 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974 also ordered personal Christmas cards to be printed and, if so, the amount refunded by him; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Christmas Cards.
313.
The cost of official greeting cards sent by me and by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs last Christmas was £61 and £241 respectively. The cards were despatched as departmental post and there is no separate postage record of the cost, but it is estimated at £52 and £127 for me and the Parliamentary Secretary, respectively. The answer to the second part of the question, insofar as I and the Parliamentary Secretary are concerned, is in the negative.
I do not have the information sought in relation to Ministers and other Parliamentary Secretaries.