I propose to take Questions Nos. 1363 and 1364 together.
My Department hosts visiting delegations e.g. trade delegations, technical experts who visit Ireland to carry out advance inspections of Irish meat plants in anticipation of the opening up of new markets or visits by audit/inspection missions from statutory bodies such as EU Food and Veterinary Office, EU Commission. As part of this role, I as Minister would host visits by Ministers, EU Commissioners, diplomats and senior policy makers from other countries. In addition, Department officials are expected to host working lunches and dinners for EU and international colleagues as part of their on-going work in furthering Ireland’s agenda e.g. the ending of the milk quota regime, the review of the CAP and the review of the CFP. Their task is to build strategic alliances with other like-minded states so as to get the best possible deal for Ireland.
It is not possible to give the figures in the exact manner requested but the following information has been extracted from the Departments records for 2011 and the year 2012 to end of August. These figures cover Ministers and officials combined and includes all aspects of the cost of hosting foreign delegations e.g. accommodation, transport and food.
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2011
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2012 (to end of August)
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Hosting Foreign Ministers & High Level Officials
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€11,996
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€11,193
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Hosting other visiting delegations
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€3,678
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€1,145
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Working lunches and dinners
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€4,985
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€2,533
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