8.2 The investigation of travel irregularities by the Department was thorough and identified amounts were recovered. The disciplinary process was well managed and penalties were given for misconduct, mostly in the form of suspensions. This page in the Department's history can now be turned. It is more important to concentrate on the present and the future.
8.3 The Department must continue to work to improve its management of travel. Accountability for the results of foreign service directives needs further clarification by Treasury Board Secretariat in collaboration with affected departments. Decision making by the Department and the Treasury Board Secretariat could be supported by better analytical information.
8.4 In our 1994 Report, we observed that foreign service directives remained complex, and our long-standing concern about this has not been fully resolved. This chapter further illustrates that problem. Changes that were made in 1993 to foreign service directives have provided increased flexibility to employees in the use of travel allowances. The results of these changes, including cost savings, have yet to be assessed. The upcoming triennial review in 1996 should be used as an opportunity to do that. As reported in 1994, the need for a fundamental re-examination of the foreign service directives system remains as the larger challenge.