The Garda spent £41,608 on its witness security programme in 1998, which covers expenditure on matters related to individuals on the witness protection scheme.
The report states the account is operated by the Garda Commissioner, Mr Pat Byrne, who requests funds from the accounting officer at the Department of Justice. "Appropriate arrangements are also in place to ensure that funds are transferred into the account only as required and that large balances are not lying idle in the account," it states. While £41,608 was spent, the original amount drawn down for the programme was £60,000.