Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 194: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the arrangements that apply in respect of agencies associated with her 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 she will make a statement on the matter. [37209/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The arrangements in place in the agencies under my Department's remit for booking accommodation, making travel arrangements and hosting functions at home or abroad is a matter in the first instance for the agencies in question. However, Section 17 of the revised Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, published in May 2009, states that non-commercial State Bodies should adopt and comply in all respects with the circulars issued from time to time by the Department of Finance regarding travel and subsistence. The Code also states that Boards of State bodies that incur significant annual expenditure on foreign travel by members of the staff or the Board should put appropriate procedures in place to monitor, report, and enforce the relevant rules and requirements. The Code includes, at Appendix VI, a Framework for a Travel Policy.

The Code of Practice also includes a suggested Framework for a Code of Business Conduct for all directors and employees of State bodies. The Framework advocates that the Code of Business Conduct should address fundamental issues of principle, including the preparation of an explanatory booklet providing practical guidance and direction on such areas as gifts and entertainment. My Department has brought the Code of Practice to the attention of the Department's agencies. The main Department of Finance circulars and letters governing domestic and foreign travel arrangements have also been brought to the attention of the agencies by my officials. It is my intention that compliance by the agencies with these guidelines will be monitored by my Department as part of the annual reporting procedures prescribed in the Code of Practice.