Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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When members of the public discuss allowances, they think of travel allowances relating to individuals who use their cars in the course of their work. They believe the latter are paid rates of subsistence because they are working away from their base or whatever. Even though they would not necessarily be the subject of tax, such rates of subsistence must be listed on their payslips.

How many of the staff of the executive would have received a travel or subsistence allowance? Of the 67,000 staff, would 6,000, 26,000 or 46,000 have received such an allowance? Does Mr. Barry O'Brien have that information? I would consider payments in respect of travel and subsistence an allowance and I do not see any mention of that in the documentation. I suspect it is a considerable cost. There is no argument about the payment of it to staff who travel for work purposes and are entitled to the allowance but I would want to get a read on this. Where is that set out in the executive's system? That information is not here. Why was it not included in the documentation or did the definition to be covered given to the witnesses not include travel and subsistence allowances?