Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (1318, 1319)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1318. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence 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. [37442/12]

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

1319. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence 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. [37458/12]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1318 and 1319 together.

Since being appointed as Minister for Defence, I have not incurred any expenditure on entertainment. Since March 2011, my Department has incurred expenditure of €1,074 on entertainment. This expenditure relates to the hosting of a seminar on Irish and Finnish Perspectives on European Security and Defence Policy in September 2011. I wish to advise the Deputy that queries concerning my Ministerial Allowance are solely a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas and all future queries should be directed to that forum.