John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Because it was made clear to them - I am glad in a way to be able to repeat the point for the Vice Chairman and the members - that they would be able to establish that it was my intention to pay. I wanted to pay for my wife on those trade missions. I asked about it. I accepted that could not be done and she did not travel. We are not talking about something which cost the State anything. It was a request and I point again to the fact that in more recent times, a Minister asked and was told "No" and his wife did not travel. That is a fact.