30 Mr. Hilliard asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the estimated cost of Ireland's forthcoming Presidency of the European Union; and the portion of this budget that will be spent on public relations related matters. [2370/96]

57 Miss M. Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the level of outside staffing to be retained for the duration of the Irish Presidency; the purpose of these staff; and the number of civil servants who will be redeployed from their normal tasks for the purposes of the Presidency. [2369/96]

75 Mr. Davern asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the total moneys allocated for the EU Presidency; the specific amounts allocated to each Department; and the way in which it is proposed to spend such moneys. [2509/96]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 57 and 75 together.

Last year my Department received an additional £3.5 million for Presidency preparations. This year, my Department's allocation for the Presidency is £8.7 million. Some further cost will arise next year because of our continuing membership of the Troika until 30 June 1997 but these cannot be estimated at this stage. Other Departments will also incur expenditure in relation to the Presidency and any questions in this regard should be addressed directly to the responsible Ministers.