Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 31 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 6

Written Answers. - Provision of Telecommunications Equipment.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

143 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of items of telecommunications equipment such as fax machines, telephone lines including phone plus systems, and other such equipment provided by his Department to the ministerial assistants, programme managers, special assistants, or advisers who are acting for himself or his Ministers of State which have been paid for through his Department's Vote or other State subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

144 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the total cost of the provision of telecommunications equipment for himself, his Ministers of State, special advisers and other such persons for the year ending 31 December 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

145 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry the number of extra mobile phones and car telephones provided for himself, his Ministers of State, programme managers, advisers, or assistants, since the formation of the Government; the cost of such service in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry (Mr. J. Walsh)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 143, 144 and 145 together.

Programme managers, ministerial advisers, assistants and special advisers have use of all the Department's telecommunications equipment and no fax machines, telephone lines or other such equipment have been specifically provided by my Department for them.

No extra mobile phones or car phones were provided to me, my Ministers of State, programme manager, advisers or assistants since the formation of the Government but one special adviser has the use of a mobile phone provided by his previous employer; the full year rental of which is £350. As no additional telecommunications equipment was provided in 1992 for myself, my Ministers of State, special advisers and other such persons, the cost for the year ending 31 December 1992 was nil.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

146 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the number of items of telecommunications equipment such as fax machines, telephone lines including phone plus systems, and other such equipment provided by his Department to the ministerial assistants, programme managers, special assistants, or advisers which have been paid for through his Department's Vote or other State subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. McCreevy)

No such equipment has been provided by my Department.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

147 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total cost of the provision of telecommunications equipment for himself, his special advisers and other such persons for the year ending 31 December 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. McCreevy)

As my Department has only been in existence since January 1993, the Deputy's question is not relevant to me.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

148 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the number of extra mobile phones and car telephones provided for himself, his programme managers, advisers, or assistants, since the formation of the Government; the cost of such service in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Tourism and Trade (Mr. McCreevy)

No extra mobile phones have been provided for me since my appointment as Minister for Tourism and Trade. Upon my appointment to the Government as Minister for Social Welfare in February 1992 the customary car telephone was provided, and which I retained on the formation of the new Government in January 1993.

Rental of the equipment provided amounts to £300 per annum and calls are charged at a rate of 34p per minute.

No such equipment has been provided for my programme manager or my personal assistant. However, mobile phones are provided for my Private Secretary and Press Officer as was the case during my period as Minister for Social Welfare.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

149 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the number of items of telecommunications equipment such as fax machines, telephone lines including phone plus systems, and other such equipment provided by his Department to the ministerial assistants, programme managers, special assistants, or advisers who are acting for himself or his Minister of State which have been paid for through his Department's Vote or other State subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

Approximately 22 items of telecommunications equipment have been provided in respect of my office and that of the Minister of State at my Department. These consist of three mobile phones, six fax machines and 13 direct telephone lines.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

150 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the total cost of the provision of telecommunications equipment for himself, his Minister of State, special advisers and other such persons for the year ending 31 December 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

The cost of the provision of additional telecommunications equipment in respect of officials mentioned by the Deputy for the year ending 31 December 1992 was £2,892.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

151 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the number of extra mobile phones and car telephones provided for himself, his Minister of State, programme managers, advisers, or assistants, since the formation of the Government; the cost of such service in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Cowen)

Four mobile phones, two of which include a car kit, have been provided for the use of Ministers and officials since the formation of the Government.

It is not possible to state the cost of these services in a full year since the cost is largely determined by level of usage.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

152 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the number of items of telecommunications equipment such as fax machines, telephone lines including phone plus systems, and other such equipment provided by his Department to the ministerial assistants, programme managers, special assistants, or advisers which have been paid for through his Department's Vote or other State subvention; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

To date, no special telecommunications equipment has been provided by my Department to my Programme Manager, Special Adviser or Personal Assistant, as the new appointees are occupying existing offices in the former Department of Labour premises.

The position will be kept under review and will be reconsidered, in the light of the nature of their duties, when my Department is relocated in new offices in Mespil Road, Dublin 4.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

153 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the total cost of the provision of telecommunications equipment for himself, his special advisers and other such persons for the year ending 31 December 1992; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

My Department was not in existence on 31 December 1992.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

154 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the number of extra mobile phones and car telephones provided for himself, programme managers, advisers, or assistants, since the formation of the Government; the cost of such service in a full year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

There have been no extra mobile phones provided to me or to my Programme Manager, Special Adviser and Personal Assistant since the formation of the Government. I have the use of a car telephone which I took over from a previous Minister.

A proposal to purchase two mobile phones, one each for my Programme Manager and Special Adviser, is being considered.