FoI 30-25: Information regarding the expenses incurred during the trip undertaken by the Speaker to Canada and Washington DC in March 2025

Information Standards Freedom of Information Response

17 April 2025

Our ref: FoI 30-25

Freedom of Information Act 2000

I am writing to confirm that the Northern Ireland Assembly Commission (Assembly Commission) has processed your request dated 25 March 2025 in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA). In your request, you asked that the Assembly Commission provide-

'1. A detailed itemised list of all expenses incurred, including but not limited to flights, accommodation, transport, meals, and any other associated costs for the trip undertaken by the Speaker to Canada and Washington DC in March 2025.

2. The total cost of the trip, including expenses for staff or officials who accompanied him

3. A breakdown of any public funds used for the trip.'

Our response

The Assembly Commission holds information relevant to your request and it can be found attached at Appendix A.

The Speaker was accompanied by one official, the Adviser to the Speaker/ Head of Corporate Support. The dataset provided includes the total costs incurred.

Further Information

You have the right to request an internal review of this decision by the Assembly Commission. If you wish to request such a review, please write to me at the above address. If, after that review, you are dissatisfied with the way in which the Assembly Commission has handled your request for information, you may complain to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) at Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire SK9 5AF.

Your request for information and our response may be published in the disclosure log maintained by the Assembly Commission under a publication scheme agreed with the ICO. The request and our response will be anonymised.

Yours faithfully

INFORMATION STANDARDS

Appendix A