Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 26 Mar 1996

Vol. 463 No. 3

Written Answers. - Ministerial Travel.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

149 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the foreign trips undertaken by him and the Minister(s) of State at his Department since assuming office; the total number of people who travelled on each trip; the names of the passengers; the total cost of each trip; and the sources of funding for each trip. [6291/96]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

I undertook a total of three foreign engagements, to Strasbourg, Toronto and Beijing, between December 1994 and January 1996. The approximate cost of these trips was £3,300, £5,700 and £42,900, respectively. Details of the names, the numbers of passengers and the purpose of each trip, are contained in the reply given to a parliamentary question on 27 February 1996 (Official Report, volume 462, No. 2, columns 339-340 refers)

Since then I have undertaken a further three foreign engagements, the details of which are as follows: (i) On 9 February 1996 I attended the European Women's Lobby Conference in Brussels on the Implementation of the Beijing Platform For Action, at which I was accompanied by three of my officials, Ms Margaret O'Connor, Ms Anne Kinsella and Ms Orlagh O'Farrell. The total cost of the trip was approximately £2,300. I was also accompanied on this trip by my spouse, at our own expense. (ii) On 9 March 1996 I attended the inauguration of President Sampaio in Lisbon at which I was accompanied by two of my officials, Ms Catherine Sheridan and Ms Anne Kinsella. My party travelled on the Government Beechcraft. I am advised that the approximate total cost involved, including costs incurred in the use of the aircraft, is £3,100. (iii) On 14 March 1996 I travelled to Cleveland, USA to attend a range of official functions. I was accompanied on this trip by my spouse. The cost of flights for this trip was approximately £3,100. Other associated costs are not, as yet, available to my Department.

All six engagements were funded by the Exchequer but a refund of approximately £3,000 was made by the Council of Europe in respect of the Strasbourg trip.

There is no Minister of State in my Department.