Joan Burton
Question:143 Ms Burton asked the Taoiseach the cost of the State Funeral for former Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey; if he will provide a breakdown of the cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25942/06]
View answerTuesday, 4 July 2006
Questions (130)
Written answers
The arrangements for the State Funeral of former Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey were in line with those for State Funerals generally. Costs arise broadly in four main areas as follows:
to my Department in relation to direct funeral expenses, the cost of refreshments afterwards, car and bus hire, florists costs, etc;
to the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform in respect of Garda security, traffic management and general policing of the occasion;
to the Department of Defence in respect of the ceremonial military involvement; and
to the Office of Public Works who supplied essential structures/barriers to meet security requirements, large screens, lighting and sound systems and other necessary infrastructure.
I am not in a position to give precise details of the costs in relation to my own Department as all the invoices have not yet been received. Preliminary estimates suggest a figure in the order of €70,000. Staff costs are not included in this estimate. The costs attributable to the Department of Defence are estimated to be in the order of €5,000. Staff costs are not included in this estimate. The costs attributable to the Office of Public Works are estimated to be in the order of €253,000. I am not in a position at this stage to give an estimate of costs arising for the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.