When the Department of Foreign Affairs pays for someone to go abroad to promote Ireland and its culture – is that a legitimate use of its budget? Many people might be of the opinion that, at a time of crisis in the health service and record numbers of homeless, such funds could be better used for other, worthier, purposes. Eamon spoke to Joe Duffy about a story he read in a newspaper about Rory O'Neill – aka Panti Bliss – travelling to Thailand and Vietnam to promote Ireland and its inclusive culture.

"If he wants to do these type of things, then go on his own expense, let him do his own thing, that's his own business, but I don't see what benefit that was [for] the country."

Following a Freedom of Information request, Joe told us, the Department stated that the purpose of the visit was "multi-fold and supported to promote the promotion of Ireland's interest and values as set out in Ireland's foreign policy document, The Global Island". Joe went on to say to Eamon that he presumes the Department does similar promotions with a lot of people, such as writers and so forth. The Department's statement, referencing the trip to Thailand and Vietnam went on to say that:

"Rory highlighted the challenges LGBTI people are facing in Vietnam and around the world through participation in the Viet Pride Festival in Hanoi."

Eamon's response? "So why didn't Vietnam take on the expenses? Why did the Irish government do it?"

Callers rang in to support Rory O'Neill's promotional work, while others called to say that these sorts of trips are just junkets. According to David:

"It is what it is, Joe, it's a waste of taxpayers' money."

Reading more from the Department's statement, Joe said that Panti undertook the trip on a pro bono basis, but callers were still unhappy with the more than €5000 cost of the trip.

A second trip made by Rory O'Neill to South Africa and Mozambique was also raised by callers, this trip again funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs. This trip was, according to a statement, to promote the Irish Film Industry, with Panti bringing The Queen of Ireland, the Irish-made documentary about him, to showcase the industry as part of an EU Film Festival. Seán, who's involved in the film industry, told Joe that he believes the focus should be on funding for films, instead of junkets:

"If the funding was there in the first place for the productions per se, then I would say yes to promotion abroad, but you're promoting something that's very badly funded to start with."

Among the callers was former junior minister at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Conor Lenihan, who was uncertain of the value of such trips, but did tell Joe that they happen a lot. Then Rory O'Neill came on the line to make some clarifications. He said he wasn't going to debate his worth as an artist, but he wanted to outline the sort of work he did while abroad at the behest of Foreign Affairs. It was more than just presenting a film and marching in a parade, he said:

"These were full days. They worked me good and hard. I was delighted to do it. It was not always fun, because some of the projects we were visiting were quite distressing in some ways, but it was endlessly fascinating and interesting."

You can hear all of what Panti had to say, as well as the rest of a full-blooded Liveline, here.