asked the Minister for Justice if motor cars, the property of the State, have been allocated for the use of Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries; and, if so, whether he will state the Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to whom they have been allocated, and the authority for such allocation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministers' and Parliamentary Secretaries' Cars.
Motor cars, the property of the State, are allocated for the use of all Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries.
The authority for providing State cars for this purpose is given by the annual Appropriation Act, which, in the Vote for the Garda Síochána, appropriates moneys for "the maintenance and other expenses of cars placed, for the purposes of protection and conveyance, at the disposal of Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, the Ceann Comhairle and the Attorney-General."
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether Government petrol and oil have been supplied to Ministers for use in motor cars privately owned by them; the names of the Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries to whom such petrol and oil have been supplied, and whether the cars referred to have been in any other way serviced, repaired or maintained at Government expense or whether any allowance has been made to Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries to cover the servicing, repair and maintenance of such cars, and if such allowance has been made to state the rate of such allowance and the authority for making it.
The Minister for Agriculture does not avail of the use of a State car; he uses his private car on official business. This car is serviced by the Garda Síochána and petrol and oil are supplied for it by the State. Petrol and oil were supplied for a short period for the Attorney-General's private car when he used it for official purposes while the State car allocated for his use was under repair.
Petrol and oil have not been supplied for the private cars of other Ministers or Parliamentary Secretaries and no allowance has been paid to any Minister or Parliamentary Secretary in respect of a private car.
Does the Minister think it a good practice to service and put petrol——
Is it in order for a Deputy to speak while sitting down?
Says the Deputy, standing up.