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Departmental Expenditure

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012

Tuesday, 18 September 2012

Ceisteanna (158)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

158. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 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. [37462/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that my Department, and its network of diplomatic missions abroad, carries out many functions on behalf of the State that require a budget for hospitality. In the time provided, it is not possible to provide a breakdown of every occasion. In 2011, my Department spent €501,120 on State and official entertainment. This covers the costs associated with State and Official Visits to Ireland by Heads of State or Government or other high-level visiting dignitaries, costs associated with Official or State Visits abroad by the President, certain costs associated with Official Visits abroad by the Taoiseach and miscellaneous expenditure associated with visits and events such as printing of invitations and the purchase of flags.

There is also budget provision for official entertaining carried out by Divisions of my Department in pursuit of their business objectives including entertainment costs incurred in relation to the Irish Aid programme. Spending in 2011 amounted to €103,880.

Officers serving at Diplomatic Missions abroad are required to carry out certain representational duties in line with the Department’s strategies and the Mission’s business plan. Official representation is an important avenue towards achievement of Mission and Departmental objectives, including the promotion of Ireland’s political, economic and cultural interests in the European Union and in the wider world. The quality and outreach nature of representational activity also present a positive image of Ireland on the international stage.

Representation expenditure is incurred within clearly defined Departmental guidelines and also guidelines issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Over the past four years expenditure on representation has been brought back to 2003/2004 levels, including a cut to Mission representation budgets of nearly 30% in 2010. Spending on representational duties in 2011 amounted to €1.98m.

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