EU Presidency.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Ceisteanna (109)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

103 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the number of locations and status of functions or receptions held in connection with Ireland’s Presidency of the EU; the number and status of those invited to attend; if Garda motorcycle escorts were provided in any or all instances; if invitations were issued by way of postal service or by other means in every case; if not, the nature of the exception; the total cost to the exchequer or EU of events to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9178/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Ms Harney)

The number of functions or receptions held to date by my Department in connection with Ireland's Presidency of the EU is ten. These events have been held in Dublin, Galway and Kildare. Of these events, eight were at official level and two had ministerial involvement. The numbers attending these functions varied from 17 at a meeting of ASEM, the Asia-Europe meeting co-ordinators, to up to 370 attendees at an informal meeting of Ministers with responsibility for employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs. In three instances, Garda escorts were provided for Ministers. Invitations were mostly issued by e-mail and post, and in one instance by courier. The total cost to my Department for these events is €686,863.