Vol. 466 No. 2
79 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform 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. [11131/96]
80 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform 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. [11158/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 80 together.
The total cost of business class travel incurred in 1995 by civil servants of my Department was £35,800 approximately. Of this total, approximately 73 per cent represents EU related travel, a substantial proportion of which is recovered from the EU. The destinations involved were Amsterdam, Birmingham, Brussels, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Paris and Strasbourg. The business class travel facility, or executive class travel as it is sometimes referred to, is availed of when the other travel options have been evaluated and deemed not to be viable.
The total cost of all travel, including business class travel, incurred in 1995 by the civil servants in my Department was £64,500 approximately. When engaging in travel, within the State or elsewhere, staff of the Department try to ensure, having regard to all the circumstances, that the most economic means possible is used and that best value for money is obtained.
