Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 276: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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. [44824/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that my Department is in compliance with the Department of Finance guidelines on foreign travel and there are mechanisms in place to ensure ongoing adherence to these principles. Flights are booked centrally via my Department's travel desk whose staff operate in accordance with the guidelines. Staff in departmental agencies have recently been reminded of the requirement to adhere to these guidelines.

Furthermore, in order to ensure as a general principle that the best value for money is obtained, competitive travel rates are continually sourced. For most flights, web and non-flexible fares are booked and this has resulted in significant savings for my Department.