Vol. 428 No. 1
263 Mr. J. Higgins asked the Minister for the Environment the countries recently visited by him in connection with St. Patrick's Day celebrations; the countries visited by the Minister of State in his Department; the composition of the official party; and the total cost to the Exchequer in each case.
I represented Ireland in Moscow in connection with the St. Patrick's Day celebrations there. During the visit, I had discussions with the Russian Minister for the Environment in relation to east-west co-operation on environmental matters and I visited a major water treatment plant. I also met the Deputy Finance Minister to discuss taxation problems facing Aer Rianta's joint venture operations in Russia. I was accompanied by my wife and the partnership programme manager in my Department. Full details of costs are not yet available but the total is estimated at about £7,000.
