Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 348: To ask the Minister for Defence if his Department and all agencies under his remit are in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel; and the mechanisms in place in each to ensure ongoing compliance with these guidelines. [44817/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I am satisfied that foreign travel undertaken by my Department and the agencies under the remit of my Department is in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines. Approval for foreign travel in relation to official business is sought in advance from a senior official in my Department and sanction is only authorised when it is established that the travel is essential. In advance of payment, claims made in respect of foreign travel are certified by an authorised official as being in accordance with the provisions of the appropriate Department of Finance travel and subsistence guidelines. The Department of Finance circulars on Foreign Travel are brought to the attention of all staff and are readily available on my Department's intranet site.