Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As I said to Deputy Gilmore, the specifics of the expenses regime that would apply to Departments, offices or agencies are under the remit of Departments. In 1998, the Department of Finance issued a letter. To answer the Deputy's question, the Labour Services Act 1987 refers to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Finance. In 1998 the Department of Finance issued correspondence to all Departments and offices regarding the foreign travel issue and this is the regime that applies. It is a matter for the board and the management who are in charge of the day to day operations and implementation of Government policy in respect of that agency to ensure it is complied with. The issue now arising is that the evidence suggests prima facie that it was not being complied with. The question is what accountability arises as a result of this non-compliance. The director general has made a decision himself as head of the day to day operations of the agency regarding what he believes he should do in these circumstances and I commend him on that.

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