The Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and Minister Responsible for the Ireland Business Partnerships (IBP), clarified information today related to car expenses on a February 2007 visit to Ireland. Today in the House of Assembly, the Leader of the Opposition repeatedly stated inaccurate information, that the Premier spent $23,000 on a limousine service while in Ireland. Minister Taylor said that is absolutely false information, being spread maliciously by an Opposition that has demonstrated no credibility, integrity or honesty in this circumstance.

"In the Public Tender Act Exceptions Report for March 2007, the department estimated that a car service to be used on a trade mission and for meetings in Ireland would cost approximately $23,000. This was the amount encumbered for this expense. That estimate was based upon six cars being used for 10 hours a day for seven days. The actual cost of the car service was in fact substantially less at $8,998," said Minister Taylor. "This final amount covered transportation costs for five companies participating in a trade mission to Ireland, as well as for the Premier and his staff, and for my officials and me."

From February 25 to March 1, six Newfoundland and Labrador companies participated in a trade mission to Ireland. Minister Taylor and officials from his department and the Ireland Business Partnerships participated in the trip. This was Minister Taylor�s first visit to Ireland since becoming Minister Responsible for the Ireland Business Partnerships. Premier Williams and his officials were in Ireland to participate in March Hare activities; in meetings between the IBP and its sister organization in Ireland, the Ireland Newfoundland Partnership; as well as to meet with Ireland�s Prime Minister.

"The Leader of the Opposition has been informed that his facts were incorrect and instead of calling our office for more information, he choose to issue a news release that further spread the false information," added Minister Taylor. "Our government finds it absolutely unacceptable that such misinformation would be knowingly spread by an elected official."

In December 2006, a request for quotes went out in Ireland for car service for companies involved in an upcoming trade mission. Four quotes were received. The quotes only covered transportation for companies participating in the trade mission. In February 2007, it was confirmed that Premier Williams and Minister Taylor would be attending the visit to Ireland. Upon this confirmation, a request was made for additional car service. The original quote request was for four cars, for five days, 10 hours a day. With the additional need, it was noted that there would be a need for two additional cars and the length of service was also extended to seven days.

"Providing car service is a regular service provided by government to Newfoundland and Labrador companies so they are able to focus on their business meetings, without having to worry about logistics, such as those associated with transportation, in a different city or country," said the minister. "We want our companies to succeed in export markets so we do what we can to help them achieve that success. Companies which have participated on previous trade missions have told us that the car service is invaluable as they can direct all their efforts towards the pitches they will make to prospective partners."

Some of the meetings for the companies on the trade mission were two-three hours drive, in various locations like Cork and Galway. Two cars were needed for the Premier and the minister and their officials and large distances were covered as there was travel between Cork and Waterford for the March Hare cultural event and IBP-INP Board meeting; and to Dublin for the business trade mission.

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Media contact:
Lynn Evans
Director of Communications
Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-4570, 690-6290
LynnEvans@gov.nl.ca

2007 05 31                                                   5:10 p.m.