John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 423: To ask the Minister for Defence 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the credit card company used; if a competitive process was used to select the company; if the facility has had to be withdrawn from any person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11552/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The following four post holders in my Department are authorised to use official credit cards: Private Secretary to Minister for Defence, Private Secretary to Minister of State at Department of Defence, Secretary-General of Department of Defence and the Human Resources Manager. The decision to issue an official credit card is made on the basis of the business need having regard to the individual's duties. The official credit cards are intended to obviate the need for staff to use their personal credit cards where substantial business-related costs are likely to be incurred. Their usage is restricted solely for official purposes. The facility has not been withdrawn from any of the post holders.

The current credit cards were issued by the Bank of Ireland which provides the majority of the Department's banking services.