EU Presidency.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 March 2004

Tuesday, 23 March 2004

Ceisteanna (640)

Bernard J. Durkan

Ceist:

640 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs 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. [9191/04]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mary Coughlan)

To date my Department have jointly hosted one Presidency event. It was an informal Council meeting involving employment and social policy Ministers and it was held in Galway from 16 to 17 January. As many as 200 delegates, including Ministers and their accompanying officials and representatives from the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council secretariat, attended the meeting and 370 attended the gala dinner. Garda escorts were provided for Ministers. Invitations were generally issued by post and e-mail but a courier was used in some cases. The cost of the event is being shared between my Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. All invoices for the event have not yet been received. The cost to my Department was initially estimated at €335,000. It now appears that the cost will be less than that.