Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but we often do not often find out details until we send in numerous FOI requests. We do not find out how the money was spent or whether it was spent rightly or wrongly until a response to an FOI request issues. The fact that it is voted on in the Dáil is surely enough to make it subject to FOI and the Minister should consider that. There must be a way of drafting this to exclude the incumbent's functions as Head of State but to include how the office spends money. We need accountability at all levels of society. The President has a job to do but he or she has an Accounting Officer. Is he or she exempt?