IDA Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013

Tuesday, 16 July 2013

Ceisteanna (474)

Derek Nolan

Ceist:

474. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if he is assured that all overseas travel undertaken by staff in the Industrial Development Agency Ireland is necessary; if the organisation ensures that there is a robust business case submitted before travel is sanctioned; if the organisation ensures that the objective of the travel cannot be achieved through other means; if on their return the staff have to submit a report on the work carried out while they were on company business overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35369/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

The authorisation of overseas travel for staff of the IDA is a day to day operational matter for the Agency and not one in which I have a function. IDA Ireland is a marketing organisation, whose mandate is to attract foreign direct investment to Ireland. The very nature of its business requires marketing executives to undertake travel overseas. IDA Ireland operates a robust travel policy in accordance with government guidelines and all travel undertaken by IDA executives complies with the policy. In accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, the Chairman of IDA furnishes me, each year, in conjunction with the Annual Report and Accounts of that body, a comprehensive report confirming, inter alia, that the Government’s travel policy requirements are being complied with in all respects. The latest such correspondence which I have received from the Chairman of IDA was dated 26 June 2013.