Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Transport if in view of the recent experience of public procurement and expenditure guideline breeches in public agencies, he has been in contact with any of his agencies to ensure compliance with Government guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46316/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The procurement and expenditure activities of the agencies operating under the aegis of my Department are essentially a day-to-day operational matter for the agencies concerned.

Each agency submits an annual report in compliance with the Code of Practice for the Corporate Governance of State Bodies of which compliance with procurement requirements and maintaining a system of internal financial control are integral components.

Last month, I wrote to the Chairpersons of the agencies under my remit advising them of a new approach on corporate governance being introduced by my Department and reminding them of their obligations under the Code of Practice. Since then my Department has written to these Chairpersons drawing their attention to the Department of Finance circulars and instructions concerning travel, subsistence and associated expenses.

The Chairpersons have been requested to confirm that arrangements currently in place in their respective organisations are in compliance with Department of Finance instructions. In addition, the Chairpersons have been advised that, as part of my Department's ongoing corporate governance relationship with their organisations, they will be expected to confirm, on an annual basis, that the arrangements in place in their organisations are in compliance with these Department of Finance instructions.