EU Presidency.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Questions (314)

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

314 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the locations and status of functions or receptions held in connection with Ireland’s Presidency of the EU; the number and status of those invited to attend; if Garda motorcycle escorts were provided in any or all instances; if invitations were issued by way of postal service or by other means in every case; if not, the nature of the exception; the cost to the exchequer or EU of events to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9185/04]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism (Mr. O’Donoghue)

The following tabular statement sets out the information requested by the Deputy on EU Presidency events held to date.

Event	Detail	Date	Invites	Status of those attending	Garda Escorts	Total Spend €
Cultural Programme	Cultural Programme Launch (Dublin)	7 January	1000 posted	Minister, Arts community, Media, Department Officials, Embassies	No	11,500
	Danu Concert (Brussels)	12 January	1500 posted	Minister, Brussels Diplomatic Community, Department officials, Media	No	48,200
	Gallery of Photography Exhibition Launch (Brussels)	12 January	100 bye-mail	Minister, Artists, Diplomatic staff,	No	1,000
	National Gallery — New Frontiers (Dublin)	2 March	1000 posted	Minister, Ambassadors, Ministers of Culture, Arts community, Sponsors, Media, Department officials	No	12,500
	Music Tours Launch (Dublin)	9 March	500 posted	Minister, Ambassadors, Arts community, Participating musicians, Media, Department officials	No	7,500
Official Events	Seminar on Literature as a means of promoting Linguistic Diversity (Killarney, Kerry)	11-12 March	10 posted66 by e-mail	Minister, EU Cultural Affairs Committee, Sectoral Representatives, Department officials	No	100,000
TOTAL €	180,700