Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
319. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if her Department or any agency under the aegis of her Department operates a ‘barter account’ for the provision of goods or services; if so, if payments have been directed to be made to a barter account during the period 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34157/23]
View answerMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I am advised there are no barter accounts operated by my Department.In relation to bodies under the aegis of my Department, these are operational matters for the bodies themselves and not something for which I have direct, day-to-day responsibility.
For completeness however, I can advise the Deputy that TG4 has informed my Department that while it does not have an internal barter account, like many media companies, it does have “contra transactions.” This refers to arrangements whereby TG4 advertise for certain companies, and in return those companies provide supplies / services to TG4 for the same value. I am further advised by TG4 that all contra arrangements are for supplies / services – there are no cash elements and that there are no hospitality transactions. TG4’s "contra transactions" are audited as part of their annual audit by the Office of the Comptroller and Audit General
