I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together. The Department of Foreign Affairs consists of a headquarters in Dublin and 49 Missions located throughout the world. In fulfilment of Ireland's international obligations, headquarters staff regularly travel to meetings and conferences abroad, particularly in the context of our membership of the European Union and the United Nations. Diplomats posted abroad are required to travel regularly within and between the countries to which they are accredited. My Department also incurs costs which arise from Presidential and official visits and from the transfer of officers and their families between posts.
My Department's provision for all travel and subsistence costs in 1995 under the Foreign Affairs Vote was £3.863 million. The 1995 outturn showed expenditure of £3.247 million for travel costs in total. Not all travel costs arising in a particular year can be brought to account within the same year. Of the travel costs charged in 1995, some will fall to 1994 and equally some 1995 costs can only be charged in 1996.