HL Deb 17 June 2002 vol 636 cc66-7WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On how many occasions since 1998 the President of the Irish Republic has visited Northern Ireland; what was the total cost to the United Kingdom taxpayer of each visit; whether these visits were conducted with the full protocol required for a visiting head of state; and, if not, why not. [HL4552]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The President of the Irish Republic has visited Northern Ireland on 62 occasions since 1998. Apart from the usual security requirements, any costs were borne by the organisations visited. The visits were classified as working or private visits or a combination of both and, as such, did not attract the full protocol afforded to state or guest of government visits.