Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 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. [44813/08]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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My Department complies with all relevant Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel. All officials engaging in foreign travel in my Department must have their travel approved in advance by an Assistant Secretary or equivalent grade. All foreign travel is booked centrally in the Department and particular attention is paid to ensuring that the least cost option is used where possible and practicable.

Compliance with the Department of Finance Guidelines on foreign travel by Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is in the first instance, a matter for the Bodies themselves as part of the day-to-day activities governing their operation. Under Section 10.2 of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, published by the Department of Finance, in addition to being required to submit to an Annual Report and Accounts, the Chairperson of each State Body is required to submit a separate report covering corporate governance issues including affirmation that all appropriate procedures for financial reporting, internal audit, procurement and asset disposals are being carried out. The Chairperson's statement should be reviewed by the State Bodies external auditor to ensure that it complies with the Corporate Governance Guidelines and should report the findings if they find it is inconsistent with these Guidelines.