asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (a) whether State cars were provided for the use of members of the late Government by the Department of Justice; and, if so, by what authority; (b) the number of such cars and the persons for whom provided as at the 1st day of February, 1948; (c) the mileage covered by each such car during the period 1st December, 1947, to 18th February, 1948; (d) the number of gallons of petrol issued for each such car during the period 1st December, 1947, to 18th February, 1948; (e) the average annual total cost to the State of each such car including depreciation, repair, maintenance, and the pay and allowances of drivers and mechanical, administrative and supervisory staff; (f) the regulations, if any, governing the use of such cars by the families of members of the Government and Parliamentary Secretaries, and (g) if he intends to make regulations to prohibit the use, in future, of such cars for other than official purposes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of State Cars.
The following is the information asked for by the Deputy:—
(a) State cars were provided by the Department of Justice for the use of all members of the late Government, except the Taoiseach. The authority for providing the cars is contained in the annual Appropriation Acts, which, in the Vote for the Garda Síochána, appropriate moneys for "the maintenance and other expenses of cars placed, for the purposes of protection and conveyance, at the disposal of Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, Ceann Comhairle and Attorney-General".
(b) On 1st February, 1948, 23 cars were allocated for this purpose. One car was placed at the disposal of each of the 15 persons mentioned and eight cars were used as a reserve.
(c) and (d) I have here a tabular statement showing the mileage covered by and petrol issued for the cars during the period from 1st December, 1947, to 18th February, 1948. The statement is rather long and if there is no objection I will not read it, but will arrange to have it published in the Official Report.
(e) The total expenditure during the year 1947 in respect of these cars is estimated at £20,535, an average of £893 per car, or an average of £1,369 in respect of each person for whom transport was provided. These figures include expenditure under all the headings mentioned in the question, except depreciation, which would be very difficult to estimate. I might mention, however, that the capital cost of the 23 cars was £15,760.
(f) In accordance with Government directions, the cars are provided on the basis that each person for whom a car is provided is entitled to use the car as if it were his private property.
(g) I do not intend to make regulations on the lines suggested.
The following statement shows in respect of each of the 15 persons to whom cars were allocated, the mileage travelled by and the quantity of petrol issued for cars used by him (including relief cars) during the period from 1st December, 1947, to 18th February, 1948, inclusive:—
|
Person to whom car allocated |
Mileage |
Petrol |
|
(gallons) |
||
|
Tánaiste |
7,922 |
617½ |
|
Minister for Local Government |
8,713 |
672 |
|
Minister for Health and Social Welfare |
9,765 |
669½ |
|
Minister for Finance |
12,213 |
870 |
|
Minister for Education |
6,904 |
521 |
|
Minister for Justice |
9,673 |
638½ |
|
Minister for Defence |
7,583 |
549 |
|
Minister for Posts and Telegraphs |
9,900 |
734½ |
|
Minister for Lands |
7,879 |
475 |
|
Minister for Agriculture |
9,965 |
706 |
|
Parliamentary Secretary to the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence |
7,062 |
467 |
|
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance |
10,350 |
796½ |
|
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government |
11,099 |
813 |
|
Ceann Comhairle |
4,102 |
314½ |
|
Attorney-General |
4,641 |
330½ |
|
TOTAL |
127,773 |
9,174½ |