Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 503: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the arrangements that apply in respect of agencies associated with his Department in regard to booking accommodation, travel arrangements, entertainment allowances for meals and so on for officials, board members or directors; if these arrangements apply when the agency involved may host a Minister or Minister of State for functions or occasions at home or abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37210/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Day to day operational matters, including arrangements for booking accommodation, travel arrangements, entertainment allowances for meals and so on for officials, board members or directors of the agencies under the aegis of my Department, and arrangements associated with the hosting of any Ministerial functions by these agencies, are a matter for the agency or body concerned and my Department does not routinely collect information in this regard. I am not aware of any agencies under the aegis of my Department hosting a Minister or Minister of State abroad.

The agencies have been reminded of the ongoing requirement to adhere to Department of Finance guidelines concerning travel, subsistence and associated expenses. The Government decision to reduce travel and subsistence rates has been brought to their attention and they were instructed to implement the reduced rates with effect from 5 March 2009.

In respect of budgetary controls, the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, which my Department has sent to agencies under its aegis, provides that responsibility for ensuring that management operates effective and efficient internal controls rests with the board of directors or a committee of similar status. The code requires each State Body to produce as part of its annual reporting and accounts package a statement on the internal financial control which operates within the body. The statement is signed by the Chairperson and subject to audit review.