Vol. 440 No. 7
86 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of members of the permanent Civil Service who accompanied him on his recent trips abroad; the number, rank and status of those other than the permanent service who travelled; the reason these persons were included; the mode of transport used in each case; the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Since 1 January 1994 I have made eight official trips abroad; the details requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.
As I have previously indicated to the House, accounting practices do not provide for a full breakdown in relation to the cost of individual visits. Moreover, in so far as the most recent visits are concerned, actual costs arising for my Department have not yet been brought fully to account. It is estimated however that the total travel and related costs of persons accompanying me on all eight visits will amount to approximately £45,000.
Every effort is made to keep the costs of visits to the minimum consistent with the appropriate discharge of my responsibilities as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs. On my appointment as Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, I accepted a reduction in the allocation for ministerial travel of approximately 12 per cent for 1993. This reduced allocation will continue to apply in 1994.
Officials accompanying me, whether permanent or non-permanent civil servants, do so in order to provide the necessary advice and assistance in the course of the trip.
|
Date |
Destination |
Purpose |
Permanent Civil Servants |
Others |
Mode of Transport |
|
7-12/1/94 |
South Africa |
Official Visit |
5 |
1 (Personal Assistant)* |
Commercial Flights |
|
6-7/2/94 |
Brussels |
General Affairs Council |
8 |
1 (Programme Manager) |
Air Corps/ Commercial** |
|
17-22/2/94 |
Berlin |
IDA Promotion |
2 |
1 (Programme Manager) |
Air Corps |
|
London |
Anglo-Irish Meeting |
5 |
2 (Programme Manager; and Mrs. Spring) |
Air Corps |
|
|
Brussels |
General Affairs Council |
3 |
1 (Programme Manager) |
Air Corps/ Commercial** |
|
|
28/2-1/3/94 |
Brussels |
General Affairs Council |
5 |
1 (Programme Manager) |
Air Corps/ Commercial** |
|
6-9/3/94 |
Brussels |
General Affairs Council |
5 |
— |
Commercial** Flights |
|
10/3/94 |
London |
Anglo-Irish Meeting |
6 |
1 (Programme Manager) |
Air Corps |
|
15-16/3/94 |
Brussels |
General Affairs Council |
4 |
1 (Programme Manager) |
Commercial** Flights |
|
25-27/3/94 |
Greece |
Informal Ministerial Meeting |
3 |
— |
Air Corps |
