A ministerial delegation from the Ministry of Economic Affairs which visited Dubai between September 16 and 19 last year spent €756 on alcoholic beverages, of which €318 were from a mini-bar, the Auditor-General has said in a report to parliament.

In a chapter on purchases not considered as relating to official business, the auditor also reports that included in expenditure claimed as ‘Other Receipts’ for a trip to the Ukraine was a receipt for the purchase of personal items. These items, worth €296 were paid out of the contingency money granted to the travelling officer, also from the Economic Affairs Ministry.

Documentation supporting expenses claimed by the travelling officer following the trip indicated the nature of the respective purchases in the country’s native language. Furthermore, the Statement of Expenses failed to provide information on the type of purchases made, since all expenses, totalling the equivalent of €1,637, were classified as ‘Other Receipts’. 

Accommodation expenses equivalent to €1,190 were included under both ‘Hotel Bill’ and ‘Other receipts’. As a result of this error, the travelling officer was refunded €327, when he should have reimbursed the ministry €863.

The ministry is seeking a refund.