Royal Hospital reception cost and purpose
The reception cost £2,378.80 and hosted 450 guests to mark the closing year of the UN Decade for Women. De Rossa questioned whether the money could better support women through publications or organisations; Fennell defended holding a formal reception and offered to circulate relevant publications.
asked the Taoiseach the total cost of the reception hosted by the Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, on 22 January last; the total number of guests who were present; the purpose of the reception; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Comment on this
The total cost of catering for the State reception to which the Deputy refers amounted to £2,378.80 and the total number of guests who were present was 450.
The purpose of the reception was to mark the closing year of the United Nation's Decade for Women, which commenced after International Women's Year, 1975, and ends this year. The guests at the reception included a Government Minister; Ministers of State; Members of the Oireachtas; members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Women's Rights; members of the Diplomatic Corps; people from Northern Ireland; representatives from the Council for the Status of Women and from other women's groups not affiliated to the Council, such as the Ballymun Pre-School Playgroups Association; trade unionists and other representative groups and individuals drawn from the sub-themes of the decade, which are employment, health and education.
Comment on this
The Minister knows that I am a supporter in anything that she does to improve the status of women in this society of ours.
Comment on this
Does the Minister feel that the £2,300-odd which we spent on this reception could not have been spent more beneficially on some tangible publication for women or for some of the women's organisations which are in need of support?
Comment on this
I trust that the Deputy or the Deputies opposite are not inferring that because this event related to women's achievements, it should have been some kind of tea party and buns affair in some back kitchen, because that day is gone.
Comment on this
There are many publications coming out this year which will give assistance, support and advice to women. I should be very happy to circulate these to the House and the Deputy in question.
