John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will confirm the number of credit cards issued by him and to whom; the criteria for issuing such cards; the credit card company used; if a competitive process was used to select the company; if the facility has had to be withdrawn from any person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11550/11]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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There are currently two cardholders on my Department's Credit Card Account, the Private Secretaries to the Minister and the Minister of State. It is my Department's policy that credit cards are issued only to the Minister and Minister of State through their respective Private Secretaries.

My Department's commercial bank accounts, including its credit card account, are held with Bank of Ireland. My Departments credit card account was opened in January 2007 following the introduction of banking online services on our existing Bank of Ireland accounts.

A total of 22 individual card holders have operated through this Department's credit card account at various stages since it opened in January 2007. The Management Committee, in November 2008, revised the Department's credit card policy to the effect that credit cards would only be issued to the Minister and Minister of State through their relevant Private Secretaries. All other credit cards were withdrawn at that time.