I have attended the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos for the past three years and again last week. The Forum provides a unique opportunity to engage with key figures in international business and politics and my focus while I am in Davos is to promote Ireland's strengths as a location for investment and trade and meet existing and potential investors in Ireland. In availing of this opportunity, I instruct my officials to ensure that costs are minimised and that the best value for money is pursued.
There are no admission/ticket costs associated with my attendance at the event for either myself or any accompanying officials, as I attend at the invitation of the WEF.
The delegation has travelled to Switzerland on the Government jet, the costs of which accrue to the Department of Defence, which operates and administers the Ministerial Air Transport Service.
Below is a breakdown of the costs to my Department of accommodation and transport for me and my delegation in Davos since 2012.
Cost to the Department of the Taoiseach re. participation in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Davos:
2012: Delegation = Taoiseach + 6 officials + a security officer
Accommodation - €5,418.29
Ground transport - €3,024.00
Travel & subsistence - € 280.00
Total - €8,722.29
2013: Delegation = Taoiseach + 6 officials + security officer
Accommodation - €5,449.24
Ground transport - €3,331.33
Travel & subsistence - €471.59
Total - €9,252.16
2014: Delegation = Taoiseach + 4 officials + a security officer
Accommodation - €4,376.33
Ground transport - €4,042.55
Travel & subsistence - €234.62
Total - €9,653.50
2015: Delegation = Taoiseach + 5 officials + a security officer
Accommodation - €2,229.16 paid to date; with a second invoice yet to be received.
Ground transport - Invoices have not yet been received
Travel & subsistence - Vouched claims have yet to be submitted.
