Noel Davern
Question:425 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Justice the total cost to her Department of the Presidency of the EU; and if he will give details of such costs. [1246/97]
Written Answers. - EU Presidency.
The budget provision from my Department's Vote for the Irish Presidency is £1,790,000. The approximate cost of the Irish Presidency to my Department as of 31 December 1996 is £1,420,000. This figure takes into account salaries, overtime and the cost of hosting the Presidency for my Department and also includes £170,000 incurred on the Garda Vote in respect of the lease of specialised vehicles used during the Irish Presidency. Records are not maintained in such a way that would enable the operational costs of Garda duty in connection with the EU Presidency to be identified without the expenditure of a disproportionate amount of time and resources which could not be justified.
As accounts are still being finalised it is not possible at present to give details of the costs of the Presidency of the EU to my Department.