Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 11 Oct 1994

Vol. 445 No. 6

Written Answers. - Cost of Ministerial Trips Abroad.

Michael Noonan

Question:

146 Mr. Noonan (Limerick East) asked the Minister for Finance the official journeys abroad which will be undertaken by him or any Minister of State attached to his Department between now and the end of the year; the purpose of each journey; and the projected cost of each journey. [629/94]

Minister for Finance (Mr. B. Ahern)

In my capacity as Minister for Finance in this State, I intend to undertake the following four journeys between now and the end of the year: three will be day long trips.

Destination	Date	Purpose	Estimated Cost
			£
Brussels	7 November	Ecofin	300
Brussels	5 December	Ecofin	300
Germany	9-10 December	European Council*	750
Brussels	15 December	Ecofin*	300

*These meetings have not yet been confirmed.

In relation to the Offices under my Department's aegis:

The Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works has no plans to undertake any journey during the remainder of the year.

The Minister of State at the Department of Finance and Tánaiste's Office may attend the following meeting:

Destination	Date	Purpose	Estimated Cost
			£
Brussels	16 November	EU Budget Council Meeting	787

Destination	Date	Number of Officials Accompanying	Total
			£
Brussels	8-9/10/93	Two	1,263
Brussels	22/11/93	Three	216
Brussels	29/11/93	One	1,345
Brussels	5/12/93	Three	147
Brussels	10/12/93	Two	217
Brussels	13/12/93	Three	602
Brussels	14/2/94	Three	94
Brussels	21/3/94	Three	1,622
London/San Diego	10-15/3/94	Three	16,245
St. Petersburg	17-19/4/94	Five	8,487
Brussels	16/5/94	Four	263
Paris	6-8/6/94	Six	1,793
Corfu	23-25/6/94	Four	654
Germany	9-10/9/94	Three	416
Brussels	19/9/94	Four	458
Canada	25-29/9/94	Two	7,207
Madrid	3-7/10/94	Five	Not Yet Available
Luxembourg	10/10/94	Five	Not Yet Available

The costings outlined above relate to invoices/travel claims actually paid to date by this Department's Accounts Branch.

Please note that the cost of using the Government jet has not been included in these costings.

All the Brussels and Luxembourg meetings are out early morning, returning late same day.