John Bruton
Ceist:2 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Taoiseach the cost to his Department of his trip to the United States of America in December 1997. [1205/98]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Ministerial Travel.
The estimated cost to my Department of my visit to the United States from 14 to 16 December 1997 is £11,000. This is based on standard costs of previous visits to the US. Invoices identifying precise total costs have not yet been received in my Department.
Has the Taoiseach been able to find out how much was netted by the fund-raising event he attended for Fianna Fáil during the trip? Will he confirm it was in the region of $40,000?
That is a separate question.
It is not. On the last occasion this matter was raised the Taoiseach said he would check if his party had received any receipts from such a fund-raising event and that he would consider whether a pro rata contribution might be made to the costs of the trip, given that part of it was for party purposes.
It is a separate question.
I did say that. Unfortunately, it is not $40,000 although my party would be happy if it were as much. The net amount has not yet been established but it will not be near that amount. I spent less than an hour at the function in question. I am not sure if I should factor the hour pro rata against the total number of hours.
Did the Taoiseach give them value for money?
I gave very good value.