Ministers count cost of Paddy’s Day trips
And the eight-day trip to New Zealand by Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Eamon Ó Cuiv cost €36,000 to date.
The information revealing the costs of the annual St Patrick's Day exodus by ministers was obtained by Fine Gael's spokesperson on foreign affairs Bernard Allen in response to parliamentary questions.
Only six of the 13 ministers who travelled (both Micheál Martin and Willie O'Dea stayed at home this year) were in a position to provide the costs to the State, and in most cases they are not finalised.
In Mr Ó Cuív's case, the costs of internal transport in New Zealand have not yet been collated.
However, in his reply, he justified the trip which he said represented value for money. "I believe the visit was immensely worthwhile and will help reap considerable benefits to the State," he said.
This year, ministers travelled to cities in Europe, the Middle East, America and the Antipodes. In most cases they were accompanied by their spouses and between two and five officials.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has incurred costs of €8,629 to date for his trip to San José and Washington.
A party of six travelled on the Tánaiste's visit to Bahrain and South Africa which has cost €17,200 so far. Communications Minister Noel Dempsey travelled to San Francisco and Seattle but only includes the two-day trip to Seattle in his reply.
That came to €4,492 it is not known whether it includes the cost of the transatlantic flights.
Michael McDowell travelled with a party of seven to London. The only costs given are those for business flights which came to €1,900.
Minister for Education Mary Hanafin travelled to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for a three-day trip that has cost €17,355 to date.
The ministers who have yet to divulge costs for trips include Finance Minister Brian Cowen who visited Australia for nine days.
