366 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of any foreign trips made by him in the year 2010 and to date in 2011; the purpose of each trip; the costs associated with each trip broken down by air travel, ground transportation, hotel accommodation and entertaining expenses; if air travel was by way of commercial airline or Government jet; the exact mode of ground transportation used; the name of each hotel and the nature of the entertainment for which the expenses were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2676/11]

The following table summarises the international journeys made by me during 2010. I have made no international journeys to date in 2011. These flights were all made on commercial airlines.

367 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of any foreign trips made by officials in his Department in the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the purpose of each trip; the costs associated with each trip broken down by air travel, ground transportation, hotel accommodation and entertaining expenses; if air travel was by way of commercial airline or Government jet; the mode of ground transportation used; the name of each hotel; the nature of the entertainment for which expenses were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2691/11]

The majority of foreign travel undertaken by officials from my Department involves attending European Union related meetings, usually in Brussels. Other foreign travel is undertaken as necessary to attend meetings on matters that are under the remit of my Department. The cost of many of these flights is recouped from the EU and at all times my Department seeks to minimise the costs of such travel. All flights were by commercial airline.

The following table shows the number of flight taken by officials from my Department in the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. It also contains details of the total costs of these flights, accommodation costs and ground transportation costs. Officials rarely incur entertainment expenses while travelling abroad on official business.

The detailed information sought by the Deputy relating to each trip undertaken by officials is not readily available and its compilation would involve a disproportionate amount of time and work. If the Deputy requires details in relation to a specific foreign trip undertaken by officials from my Department I will endeavour to make that information available to her.

Figures for ground transportation and accommodation for the latter part of 2010 and for 2011 are on the basis of expenses claims paid to date.

368 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of hotel accommodation used by him within the State while on ministerial duties in the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011; the name of each hotel in which he stayed; the costs associated with each stay and the purpose of each trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2721/11]

Details of the hotel accommodation within the State used by me while on ministerial duty in 2009 and 2010 are outlined as follows. I have not used hotel accommodation while on ministerial duties to date in 2011.

369 Deputy Lucinda Creighton asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will provide details of any foreign trips made by officials in public bodies under the remit of his Department in the years 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011, the purpose of each trip; the costs associated with each trip broken down by air travel, ground transportation, hotel accommodation and entertaining expenses; if air travel was by way of commercial airline or Government jet; the mode of ground transportation used; the name of each hotel; the nature of entertainment for which expenses were incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2736/11]

Day to day operational matters, including foreign travel for officials of the agencies under the aegis of my Department, are matters for the agency or body concerned. The agencies have been reminded of the ongoing requirement to adhere to Department of Finance guidelines concerning travel, subsistence and associated expenses.