Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Another example is the entertainment allowance, which is listed. I have a selection of the business cases printed in this regard. There were seven claims in 2011. If this money is being used, I assume it is covering money spent on a particular purpose as opposed to providing a pecuniary benefit to the individual unit. The principal military appointments entertainment allowance is a good example. Each commanding officer of a naval vessel has an entertainment allowance of €200 per annum, which is to cover the purchase of goods necessary for any kind of entertainment. I imagine if one of our vessels is on a foreign shore and hosts a reception, with somebody coming on board, something will be given to recognise the event. That allowance would cover the purchase of that item and nobody is benefitting from the allowance, apart from the shop where the item may be bought.