Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

We are aware of how public funding was abused by the board of FÁS. For example, some Ministers availed of expensive junkets to Florida. There needs to be a full debate in the Dáil on the issue of ministerial accountability. Will the Taoiseach indicate to the Whips that such a debate will be arranged at some stage? We need to deal with the point the Taoiseach has made about explaining the context in which expenses are paid. Why did three Ministers and two Ministers of State travel to Florida for ceremonies associated with the FÁS science challenge project, which has an annual budget of €1.5 million, over a period of less than three years between 2004 and 2007? Will the Taoiseach admit that the trips were simply junkets? The Cabinet handbook states:

Where the nature of a visit requires that a Minister be accompanied by his/her spouse/partner, he/she should consult the Taoiseach in advance on the matter. Expenses in respect of a spouse/partner will not be charged to public funds in any particular case unless the Taoiseach is satisfied that, in the circumstances, this is warranted.

Is this rule adhered to? Does the Taoiseach routinely sign off on trips by spouses or partners? Can he estimate how many such trips were warranted since 2007? How does he determine whether expenses for spouses or partners are warranted?

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