Official Travel

Tuesday, 28 March 2023

Questions (759)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

759. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total costs of accommodation and travel expenses associated with his recent foreign trip, or foreign trips by Ministers for State at his Department, for St Patrick’s Day; and if a breakdown can be provided on travel costs, accommodation costs, country/state visited, number of departmental staff accompanying him, and the duration of the trip, in tabular form. [14735/23]

View answer

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:

The 2023 St Patrick's Day programme saw the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government Ministers take part in an extensive international programme to promote Ireland and Irish interests around the world. These visits provided an opportunity for Ministers to promote Irish trade and meet business leaders, to engage with our political counterparts and to meet the Irish diaspora in different locations around the globe. As part of this St Patrick’s Day programme, I travelled to New Zealand from 11th March until 18th March. I carried out a wide-ranging programme of community, business and political engagements in Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington.

I had multiple engagements with members of the Irish business community in all three cities.

I had meetings on areas of shared research interests with stakeholders that my department has collaborated with.

In Auckland I was privileged to be the representative in the ceremonial handover of naval vessel to the Irish state.

I had several farm visits at locations around the country and gained insight to the shared challenges and opportunities that New Zealand farmers share with their Irish counterparts.

I also had the opportunity to engage directly with several Ministers and MPs while in Wellington where matters of shared concern and interest were discussed in face to face meetings.

Possibly most important I was able to meet with the community groups that support and bring together the Irish diaspora in New Zealand.

The delegation consisted of myself, the Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, my Special Advisor and my Private Secretary.

Total costs are out line below.

Minister McConalogue, advisors and staff Air Travel (International flights)	€27,028.23
Minister McConalogue, advisors and staff Air Travel (Domestic flights)	€2,613.17
Car Hire	€2,182.12
Taxi	€53.69
Accommodation	€6,654.19
Gifts given	€204.90
Due to the delayed departure from Dublin Airport some flights in New Zealand needed to be rebooked at short notice at a cost of €743.73. This is included in the €2,613.17 total

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I thank the deputy for the question however we are awaiting the final costs to be submitted from the embassies of the various countries that my Ministers of State and I visited as part of the 2023 St Patrick's Day travel. The Embassies arranged accommodation and internal travel which is then billed to the Department.

Once the final costs are in I will forward the material to you.