Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (125, 126)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

125. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach if he will detail in tabular form the total cost of providing entertainment for his Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the occasions for which entertainment was provided; the entertainers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion; if there is a policy regarding the booking of entertainers within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37452/12]

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

126. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach the amount spent on food and drink by his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of what this involved; the occasions on which food and drink was provided; those present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37468/12]

Freagraí scríofa

The Taoiseach

I propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 126 together.

The total expenditure by my Department on official and state entertainment from 10 March 2011 to end August 2012 was €158,546. The accompanying table provides details of major events for which entertainment was provided, the supplier used, and the costs. My Department tenders for the provision of all entertainment.

Date	Event Description	Vendor Name	Costs
4th April 2011	Visit by His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco	Catering (Wine) - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade	€ 962.20
		Catering - Knights Catering	€ 5,578.00
		Total	€ 6,540.20
17 & 18 May 2011	State Visit of HRH Queen Elizabeth II - Islandbridge Wreath-laying Ceremony	Catering - Fitzers Catering	€ 7,093.75
22nd May 2011	State Funeral of Dr. Garret FitzGerald	Catering - UCD O’Reilly Hall	€ 22,646.02
		Staff Catering -	€ 109.30
		Total	€ 22,755.32
23rd May 2011	State Visit by President of the United States of America Barrack Obama	Catering and Room Hire - Buswells Hotel	€ 970.00
		Total	€ 970.00
17th June 2011	Visit by President of the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy	Catering – Fitzers	€ 1,058.35
11th July 2011	National Day of Commemoration 2011	Catering – Cypress Catering	€ 21,980.56
3rd November 2011	Dinner in honour of Mary McAleese	Catering – Knights Catering	€ 2,957.66
11th November 2011	Presidential Inauguration	Catering – Fitzers	€ 45,265.75
		Catering – Houses of the Oireachtas	€ 70.28
		Total	€ 45,336.03
19th February 2012	Visit by Chinese Vice President, Xi JingPing	Catering – Vinny Hanlon Catering	€ 12,236.47
15th June 2012	Reception for International Eucharistic Congress	Catering – Knights Catering	€ 9,639.49
8th July 2012	National Day of Commemoration 2012	Catering – Brambles	€ 21,799.04
		Catering – Houses of the Oireachtas	€ 278.44
		Total	€ 22,077.48
15th August 2012	Reception in honour of the Irish Olympic Team 2012	Catering – Knights Catering	€ 5,901.42