Noel Davern
Ceist:478 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Tourism and Trade the total cost to his Department of the Presidency of the EU; and if he will give details of such costs. [1249/97]
Written Answers. - EU Presidency.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 208 of 19 December 1996. Total payments under the Presidency subhead, A9, of the Department's vote amounted to just over £69,000 in 1996. The temporary posting of an officer to the Irish Mission in Geneva for the duration of the Presidency cost just over £14,000 while the preparations for the WTO Ministerial conference in Singapore accounted for almost all of the remaining costs.
Because some Presidency payments may arise in 1997, I am not in a position at this stage to give a final outturn figure.