John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy asked a question, which I would like to answer.

The Department makes all of the Minister's travel arrangements, including payment of same and so on. I did not do that. I can only answer for myself. I cannot answer for anybody else. The Deputy asked how having done what I did I can chair the Committee of Public Accounts. I put it to him that I was appointed as a Minister of State and worked within the conditions, rules and regulations as set down. Others within the Department charged with responsibility for doing so looked after the specifics of what I was doing. In other words, where approval was granted to travel, the arrangements were made by senior civil servants in accordance with protocols, which are set out in Circular 6/59 from the Department of Finance, which I support. I have read the document closely, which I had not done previously. It is fine. I accept it.

In relation to the Deputy's question - I will answer it only as it applies to me - that is the answer. As regards whether I can chair a meeting the answer is "Yes, I can" because I did not do anything wrong. I did not sign off on anything that I should not have signed off on or for which I was not responsible for signing off on.