Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2009
120 Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Taoiseach the cost in relation to foreign travel, accommodation and related ministerial and official costs associated with St. Patrick’s Day 2008; and the plans related to St. Patrick’s Day 2009 and the projected cost. [6164/09]
View answerThe official costs to my Department associated with St. Patrick's day 2008 are detailed in the following table:
|
2008 |
Costs |
|
€ |
|
|
Foreign Travel |
2,968 |
|
Accommodation |
14,202 |
|
Official Costs (including Subsistence, Official gifts and Photography) |
4,946 |
|
Total |
22,116 |
I expect to visit New York and Washington during my official trip to the United States for St. Patrick's Day in March.
The St. Patrick's Day Ministerial programme for 2009 is not yet finalised and projected costs cannot be determined at this stage. The cost of the individual programmes and accompanying delegations will, in all cases, be kept to a reasonable minimum. In view of the current difficult economic climate, the potential provided by these visits to promote trade and business opportunities will be maximised and will be a key component of the 2009 programmes.
