asked the Minister for Energy the number of trips undertaken by him, his Minister of State and his staff in 1985; the destination, purpose, and cost of each trip; and if he can estimate the cost of official trips in 1986.
Written Answers. - Expenditure on Foreign Travel.
35.
There would be a disproportionate expenditure of public time and money involved in compiling the detailed information sought by the Deputy and I do not consider that this would be justified. However, in relation to the Vote for the Office of the Minister for Energy, the cost in 1985 and the estimated cost in 1986 of foreign travel is as follows:—
|
1985 |
1986 |
|
|
£000 |
£000 |
|
|
EC |
41 |
47 |
|
Other foreign travel |
99 |
113 |
The cost of EC travel is largely offset by the repayment by the EC of the actual cost of travelling to and from the various meetings. It is estimated that these payments will be of the order of £80,000 over the two years in question. The purpose of these journeys is to promote the national interest, whether at EC meetings or elsewhere, in relation to supplies of energy products and the development of our petroleum, peat and mineral resources.
36.
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of foreign trips undertaken by him, his Minister of State and his staff in 1985; the destination, purpose and cost of each trip; and if he can estimate the cost of official trips in 1986.
There would be a disaproportionate expenditure of public time and money involved in compiling the detailed information sought by the Deputy and I do not consider that this would be justified. However, in relation to the Vote for Foreign Affairs, the cost in 1985 and the estimated cost in 1986 of foreign travel is as follows:
|
1985 |
1986 |
|
|
EC related foreign travel |
306,000 |
333,000 |
|
Other foreign travel |
2,068,000 |
1,904,000 |
37.
asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number of trips undertaken by him, his Minister of State and his staff in 1985, the destination, purpose and cost of each trip and if he can estimate the cost of official trips in 1986.
There would be a disproportionate expenditure of public time and money involved in compiling the detailed information sought by the Deputy and I do not consider that this would be justified. However, I would advise the Deputy that the 1985 provisional outturn for foreign travel arising under the Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism Vote is; EC, £377,000; Other, £89,000. The cost of EC travel would be largely offset by refunds. Details of the 1986 estimate for foreign travel will be given in the revised Book of Estimates, when published.