Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2013
552. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost incurred by his Department, in respect of this year’s overseas travel programme for St. Patrick’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16610/13]
View answerThis year saw the introduction of the Government’s Ministerial-led St. Patrick’s Day “Promote Ireland” Programme, which saw 19 Government Ministers travel to 21 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia for a series of trade, investment and tourism-focused programmes.
Ministers participated in over 150 business-related events, 30+ high-level political meetings – including bilaterals with US President Barack Obama and US Secretary of State John Kerry – along with cultural, networking and Irish community events throughout the St. Patrick’s Day period. Hundreds of companies participated in events and meetings as part of this Ministerial-led Programme.
As part of the Programme, I travelled to Germany for a 4-day programme in Munich, Cologne and Dusseldorf, which included an event in Munich with 100 companies, 8 meetings with IDA and Enterprise Ireland target companies, 3 Bord Bia events as well as a meeting with Prof Brend Venohr, a renowned expert on the Mittelstand sector of mid-sized employment-intensive companies. The programme, which is the 14th major trade/investment mission I have undertaken in 24 months in office, also included a series of Irish community/cultural events.
My colleague, Minister Perry travelled to Scotland, participating in a range of trade, tourism and cultural events in both Edinburgh and Glasgow. These included meeting with Enterprise Ireland client companies who have a strong Scottish presence.
The costs incurred by my Department in respect of both these trips relate to flights, accommodation and subsistence in respect of both Minister Perry and I and our respective Private Secretaries. The costs are set out in the following table:
|
Minister |
Trip |
Flights |
Hotel |
Subsistence |
Other Transport* |
Total |
|
Minister Bruton plus Private Secretary |
Germany 16-20 March |
€994.62 |
€802.00 |
€299.83 |
€24.00 |
€2,120.45 |
|
Minister Perry plus Private Secretary |
Scotland 13-17 March |
€269.96 |
€1,154.47 |
€439.24 |
€76.80 |
€1,940.47 |
*relates to miscellaneous travel costs incurred such as taxis
