Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think the issue that caused us concern and caused some public concern were the Deputy's comments on "Morning Ireland" which are not historic, having been made on Monday last. May I discuss them with the Deputy? In terms of trade missions he said that: "The protocol is that the wife does not travel." We all accept that. He then said, "but there are circumstances that should be considered when Ministers are away on State business for long periods of time, and where they believe that their wife should travel, they should pay". I do not have a difficulty with that.