The information requested by the Deputy in respect of travel costs to date relating to St Patrick's Day is set out in the table below. The Deputy may wish to note that not all costs have yet been finalised.
|
Minister / Minister of State
|
Country / State Visited
|
Duration of Trip
|
Travel Costs
|
Accommodation Costs
|
Number of Accompanying Departmental Staff
|
|
Minister Catherine Martin
|
USA / California (Los Angeles and San Diego)
|
8 - 15 March
|
€8,650
|
See Note above
|
3
|
|
Minister of State Thomas Byrne
|
USA / Texas (Austin & Dallas)
|
14- 20 March
|
€7,639
|
See Note above
|
2
|
|
Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan(see note
below)
|
Thailand
|
14-19 March
|
€406
|
€124
|
N/A
|
With regard to the costs set out in the table for Minister of State O’Donovan, these relate only to the costs incurred by my Department for the booking of a flight and accommodation, which were required as a result of travel disruption experienced on his return journey. All other information in relation to this Ministerial mission is a matter for the Office of Public Works, under the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
All flights were booked in accordance with Government Guidelines. My Department makes an annual payment to the Climate Action Fund scheme, administered by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to offset emissions for travel on commercial flights, in accordance with Circular 01/2020 (D/PER).
