Vol. 466 No. 2
150 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the total cost of business class travel incurred by civil servants in his Department in 1995; the destinations to which officials travelled; and his policy on the use of business class travel. [11142/96]
151 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for the Marine the total cost of all travel undertaken by civil servants in his Department in 1995; his policy in relation to such travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11156/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 150 and No. 151 together.
The total cost of all travel undertaken in 1995 by civil servants at the Department of the Marine amounted to £861,808. This figure includes costs of payment of subsistence at standard Civil Service rates. The figure also includes expenditure on travel by technical staff in connection with vessel safety surveys, which costs are recouped from shipowners. In addition, an amount of £114,848 is recoupable from the EU in respect of EU-related travel.
It is the policy of the Department to keep travel costs to the minimum necessary consistent with the discharge of its domestic and international obligations. The Department of the Marine has responsibilities which extend throughout the State, together with significant international obligations eg. EU fisheries and maritime fora, the International Maritime Organisation and others which necessitate travel by officials.
