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17/05/2013
Ministers Spent £350k On Trips Last Year
Official figures from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) has revealed it has spent more than £350k in the past year.
Since last April, a total of £357,042 has been spent on flights, transport and accommodation for seven trips. This includes the latest investment trip by the First and Deputy First Ministers to South and North America, which cost more than £150k alone. The aim of the visit was to develop and promote political, investment, trade, university and tourism links.
As part of the trip, the two politicians visited three cities in Brazil, as well as Los Angeles and Washington; they were also accompanied by six officials and a photographer. The total travel costs, including eight flights, came to £155,509.
Other trips included exotic destinations such as the United Arab Emirates, China and Brazil. A trip for both minister to Shanghai and Hong Kong in November 2010 cost more than £80k. They were accompanied by six officials, a photographer and junior minister Jonathan Bell on that visit.
The publication of the figures follows criticism over a lack of transparency surrounding these and other trips by government ministers.
A spokeswoman for OFMDFM said the overseas trips had paid dividends and had brought investment from major international companies such as HBO and Allstate.
She said: "Ministers are proud of their efforts. They do try to keep costs to a minimum and the trips usually take in three or four cities."
(JP/CD)
Since last April, a total of £357,042 has been spent on flights, transport and accommodation for seven trips. This includes the latest investment trip by the First and Deputy First Ministers to South and North America, which cost more than £150k alone. The aim of the visit was to develop and promote political, investment, trade, university and tourism links.
As part of the trip, the two politicians visited three cities in Brazil, as well as Los Angeles and Washington; they were also accompanied by six officials and a photographer. The total travel costs, including eight flights, came to £155,509.
Other trips included exotic destinations such as the United Arab Emirates, China and Brazil. A trip for both minister to Shanghai and Hong Kong in November 2010 cost more than £80k. They were accompanied by six officials, a photographer and junior minister Jonathan Bell on that visit.
The publication of the figures follows criticism over a lack of transparency surrounding these and other trips by government ministers.
A spokeswoman for OFMDFM said the overseas trips had paid dividends and had brought investment from major international companies such as HBO and Allstate.
She said: "Ministers are proud of their efforts. They do try to keep costs to a minimum and the trips usually take in three or four cities."
(JP/CD)
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