asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of entertainment borne by his Department since March, 1973; and the occasion of each charge.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Departmental Entertainment Cost.
13.
The cost of entertainment borne by my Department since March, 1973 is £10,650 approximately.
It is not the practice to publish details of the occasion of each charge. The expenditure was incurred abroad by me and by officials of my Department in the normal course for special representational purposes.
I should say that figure is specifically the one borne by the Foreign Affairs Vote. Entertainment incurred by the Department otherwise than abroad is not borne by that Vote but is part of miscellaneous expenses.
The miscellaneous expenses of?
Subhead for State entertainment.
Of the Department of Foreign Affairs?
No, as I understand it, the general one but if the Deputy wants it I have the figure which was spent under that head.
I would have thought the question sought to elicit that.
The question seeks to elicit from the Minister for Foreign Affairs the cost of entertainment borne by his Department. The entertainment paid for by his Department is entertainment abroad. Entertainment in connection with the occasions of his Department at home is borne by a Vote which is not the Vote for his Department.
What is the figure concerned?
The figures are: in the period, 1st April, 1973, to 31st of March, 1974, £23,000 odd, 1st April, 1974, to 31st December, 1974, £18,000 odd, and 1st January, 1975, to 11th February, 1975, £6,000 odd.