Vol. 457 No. 5
78 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the costs which have been paid out for flights, hotel reservations and other costs incurred to date by her Department in respect of proposed participants at meetings and conferences, where such participants did not avail of the arranged bookings; if she will give a breakdown in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15780/95]
The position is that no additional costs have been incurred by my Department in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy. In the unusual circumstances where flights or hostels are booked and subsequently need to be cancelled, they are cancelled in advance and no costs are incurred. In the case of bookings for flights, my Department has a standing arrangement with the airlines that where airline tickets are not used, a full refund is obtained.
79 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice if Iberia airlines recently charged her Department for three business class fares for foreign travel which were booked but not used; the costs involved; the transport which was used and the total costs incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15798/95]
I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Parliamentary Question No. 103 on 18 October, 1995. As stated in reply to that question, an Informal meeting of EU Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs took place in Spain on 14 and 15 October, 1995. As part of the travel arrangements and in line with standard practice, executive class tickets were booked on commercial flights for the eight persons concerned in case the Government jet would not be available for either the outward or return journeys.
In the event the Government jet was available for both the outward and return journeys and the tickets for both journeys, which were booked through Aer Lingus, were cancelled in advance. My Department has a standing arrangement with Aer Lingus that, where tickets are not used, they are refunded in full.
