Cullen says he paid for all partner’s costs on State trip to Singapore

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen yesterday said he personally paid for all the costs incurred as his partner accompanied him on a State trip to Singapore.

Mr Cullen visited the far eastern country last week, to take part in aviation trade talks and also to attend functions and matches associated with the GAA All Stars trip to the country.

Mr Cullen strongly defended the fact he was accompanied by his long-term partner, Stephanie O'Hora a civil servant in the Office of Public Works during his visit to Singapore.

He said none of her costs were borne by either his Department or the State.

Yesterday, Mr Cullen gave a detailed account as to why he was accompanied by Ms O'Hora.

He said that himself, two senior officials from his department and the chief executive of the Dublin Airport Authority had travelled to Singapore for high-level talks on aviation.

As a result of the visit, he added, two new bilateral agreements were signed that will promote Ireland as a destination or stopover point for long haul carriers.

Mr Cullen said his trip almost coincided with the All Stars tour, and that the Department of Foreign Affairs had asked him, late in December, to stay on to represent the Government at the associated matches and functions.

"(Foreign Affairs) said it was of great significance to Ireland after the hugely successful trip to Hong Kong last year where high Government ministers attended."

The minister said that when he discovered that many of the players would be accompanied by wives and partners, he decided to ask his own partner, Ms O'Hora, to attend.

"None of her costs were borne by the State...There were absolutely no costs bearing on my department or the country," he said.

The minister was speaking during the launch of the Roads Programme for 2006 in Government buildings.