asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of each visit abroad by himself and his Parliamentary Secretary since 31st March, 1973, including the nature, place and cost of each visit; and the overall cost.
Written Answers. - Ministerial Visits Abroad.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to circulate it with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
Statement
(a) Official visits abroad by the Minister for Defence since 31st March, 1973:—
Place Visited |
Nature of the Visit |
Cost |
£ |
||
Paris (Air Show) |
To examine troop-carrying helicopters which might be suitable for, among other things, fishery protection |
245.53 |
Italy |
To sign an agreement for the supply of ten Basic Trainer Aircraft to the Air Corps |
669.65 |
USA |
As Chairman of the Irish Sail Training Committee on the occasion of the participation of the sail training vessel “Creidne” in the American Bicentennial celebrations |
7,000.00* |
Overall Cost |
£7,915.18† |
*Includes Mrs. Donegan
†Actual cost of visit to USA not yet available: Cost was of the order of £7,000
(b) Official visits abroad by Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence since 31st March, 1973:
None