Vol. 457 No. 5
37 Mr. Callely asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the costs which have been paid out for flights, hotel reservations and other costs incurred to date by his Department in respect of proposed participants at meetings and conferences where such participants did not avail of the arranged bookings; if he will give a breakdown in each case. [15788/95]
The Department of Foreign Affairs consists of a Headquarters in Dublin and 48 missions located throughout the world. In fulfilment of their obligations headquarters staff travel to meetings and conferences abroad on a regular basis. Diplomats posted abroad are also obliged to travel regularly within and between the countries to which they are accredited. In these circumstances a considerable length of time and level of resources would be required to conduct the exercise requested by the Deputy in a comprehensive and accurate manner. The diversion of scarce resources necessary could not be justified in this case.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the travel policy in my Department strives at all times to achieve the maximum in terms of economies. Requests to travel are vetted by designated travel officers in each Division of the Department and close and regular monitoring of expenditure in this area is the norm.
