Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Chair. In the absence of advance notice, I cannot answer specific questions that would be best addressed to individual Ministers. Officeholders can have representational roles in respect of State agencies, in addition to their departmental responsibilities. One may be required to promote the interests of the agencies under one's aegis. It should be acknowledged that the promotion of what such organisations are doing or seeking to do can be a valid exercise of one's responsibilities. I cannot go into the specific details. The Tánaiste undertook to investigate this matter on foot of controversies about travel interests that arose last November. I understand that the programme mentioned by Deputy Ó Snodaigh was discontinued on the advice of the Tánaiste. She insisted that it be discontinued as she did not believe it was sufficiently warranted in the circumstances in which the organisation found itself at that time. That is my recollection of the situation. Spouses can have a representational role from time to time. For example, it is sometimes regarded as appropriate for the accompanying Minister on a presidential visit to be accompanied by his or her spouse. There may be other instances in which it is deemed that the right thing to do, in the circumstances that are arising, is to envisage an itinerary for a ministerial spouse. The guidelines, by definition, require discretion. One cannot be absolutely rigid on this; instead, one makes a decision on the basis of the relevant circumstances. I can only answer the Deputy's question about these arrangements with reference to my experience since I first held this office. Since I took office, I understand there may have been two or three occasions on which that was required.

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