Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 October 2022
175. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a policy regarding the appropriate use of domestic flights in his Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department. [50120/22]
View answer195. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if there is a policy regarding the appropriate use of public funds for domestic flights by Departments and bodies under their aegis. [50119/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 175 and 195 together.
The general principles governing official travel are set out in the relevant Department of Finance Circulars. It is a fundamental principle that the best value for money in respect of each official trip undertaken should be obtained, consistent with the requirements of official business. Only essential travel should be undertaken and the number of officers travelling on official business should be kept to a minimum. No domestic flights have been undertaken by myself or my officials since this Department was established in 2020. The information requested in relation to the agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each agency. The Department will request the relevant bodies to reply directly to the Deputy with the information requested in respect of their organisations.
