I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
Joint Meeting of the United States Congress
The following people travelled to the United States as part of the official delegation for the then Taoiseach's address to the Joint Meeting of the United States Congress:
Then Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern
Gerry Hickey, Taoiseach's Adviser
Eoghan O'Neachtain, Government Press Secretary
Mandy Johnston, Taoiseach's Adviser
Brian Murphy, Taoiseach's Adviser
Martin Fraser, Assistant Secretary
Paul McGarry, Principal Officer
David Feeney, Private Secretary to the Taoiseach
Nick Reddy, Assistant Private Secretary to the Taoiseach
Olive Melvin, Taoiseach's Personal Assistant
John Byrne, Security Officer
Minister Dermot Ahern
Dermot Gallagher, Secretary General
Pat Hennessey, Director, Anglo-Irish Division
Sinead Ryan, Private Secretary to the Minister
Michael Lonergan, Press Officer
Ciaran O'Cuinn, Minister's Adviser
Transport in Washington was provided by two cars, four multi-person vehicles and two vans. Transport in Boston was provided by one car, four multi-person vehicles and two vans. Costs discharged by my Department in relation to this trip currently stand at €8,665.08. This can be broken down to travel costs at €6,661.41 and subsistence costs at €2,003.67. Costs discharged by the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to this trip currently stands at €16,757. The costs for this trip have not yet been finalised. Further charges have not yet been received in respect of hotel and transport costs.
St. Patrick's Day
The following people travelled to the United States as part of the official delegation for the then Taoiseach's visit to Scranton PA and Washington DC to mark the St. Patrick's Day period.
Then Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern
Gerry Hickey, Taoiseach's Adviser
Eoghan O'Neachtain, Government Press Secretary
Martin Fraser, Assistant Secretary
Paul McGarry, Principal Officer
David Feeney, Private Secretary to the Taoiseach
Pat Hennessy, Director, Anglo-Irish Division, Department of Foreign Affairs
Olive Melvin, Taoiseach's Personal Assistant
Dermot Hobbs, Security Officer
Costs discharged by my Department in relation to this trip currently stand at €2,826.16. Costs in relation to gifts given stand at €1,479.32 and costs in relation to subsistence stand at €1,346.84. There are no travel costs associated with this trip. Costs discharged by the Department of Foreign Affairs in relation to this trip currently stand at €235. The costs for this trip have not yet been finalised. Further charges have not yet been received in respect of hotel and transport cost