Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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187. To ask the Minister for Finance if he is scrutinising the hospitality and corporate entertainment and other related expenditure by State owned banks; if he will provide the most up to date details of such expenditure; if he will meet with the heads of these banks to receive a full explanation on the reason such budgets still exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9000/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware under the Relationship Framework the State does not intervene in the day to day operations of the banks or their management decisions regarding commercial matters. 

AIB and PTSB have provided me with the following information in relation to hospitality and corporate entertainment:

AIB is undertaking a significant cost reduction programme aimed at reducing overall costs by €350m in 2014  relative to 2012 levels. As a commercial organisation AIB must manage its costs reflective of its commercial activities whilst seeking to return the bank to profitability during 2014. Detail in respect of AIB s operational costs are contained in AIB s published accounts which are available on AIB s website at www.aibgroup.com/investorrelations. AIB has a Code of Conduct in place for all staff which covers, inter alia, corporate hospitality.

PTSB We have no budget for hospitality, corporate entertainment/other related expense. There may be relatively small expenses incurred at an individual level but beyond that we don't get involved in hospitality or corporate entertainment on any organised or grand scale.