It has emerged the Northern Ireland Office spent almost £30,000 on plants and flowers last year.
According to Minister Paul Goggins, during 2008-09 the department paid florists and nurseries £27,980 for plants and flowers for official events, such as receptions for the military, royal occasions and welcoming visiting dignitaries.
Mr Goggins stressed: "During this period, the Department hosted a wide range of official events at Hillsborough Castle.
"That included receptions for military personnel and their families on return from Afghanistan, Iraq and other foreign postings; royal garden parties and individual visits by members of the Royal family; receptions for local civic and community leaders; and other occasions including a number of visits by foreign dignitaries and events for charities such as the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme."
The figure also included flowers bought for events held by "other parties" at Hillsborough Castle, Mr Goggins said in a written Commons reply to Tory Grant Shapps (Welwyn Hatfield).
"Although the Northern Ireland Office does not charge these external customers directly for the cost of flowers, provision is included within a facility hire charge," the minister added.
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