asked the Minister for Justice if he will state how many accidents with State cars were involved in the payment of £40 stated by him on 24th November to have been paid for personal injuries to third parties and the amount paid in each case and the date and place of each such occurrence.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - State Cars and Accidents.
The amount was paid in respect of one accident which occurred at the junction of Moss, Shaw and Townsend Streets, Dublin, on the 30th November, 1952.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state how many accidents with State cars were involved in the payment of £471 stated by him on 24th November to have been paid to third parties for damage to property and the amount paid in each case and the date and place of each such occurrence.
Mr. Boland
The answer is in the form of a tabular statement which I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have circulated with the Official Report.
The following is the statement:—
There were seven such accidents and the following are the particulars asked for:—
|
Date of Accident |
Place of Accident |
Payment made from Public Funds. |
||
|
£ |
s. |
d. |
||
|
19th May, 1952 |
Nabestown, Clonmellon, Co. Westmeath. |
120 |
19 |
3 |
|
5th January, 1953 |
Griffith Avenue and Turlough Parade, Dublin. |
48 |
14 |
8 |
|
24th January, 1953 |
Cruagh, Baltinglass |
40 |
8 |
6 |
|
2nd February, 1953 |
Ballinasloe, Co. Galway |
79 |
17 |
0 |
|
22nd February, 1953 |
Clongowney, Mullingar |
90 |
12 |
3 |
|
30th March, 1953 |
Dunshaughlin |
15 |
0 |
0 |
|
19th July, 1953 |
Granard to Edgeworths-town Road, Co. Longford. |
75 |
5 |
0 |
|
Total |
£470 |
16 |
8 |
|
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state whether a State car was involved in any accident when it was not being driven by the official Garda driver supplied for it; and, if so, when and where and by whom it was being driven.
Mr. Boland
There were three such accidents. The first occurred on the 2nd February, 1953, near Ballinasloe when a heifer was struck by a car driven by the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture. The two other accidents occurred when the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs was driving the car concerned. The first of these occurred near Clongowney, Mullingar, on the 22nd February, 1953, when the car grazed another car coming in the opposite direction and the second on the 19th July, 1953, at Ferriskill, Granard, when the car skidded injuring two cows.
Is it normal for State cars to be driven by others than the official Garda drivers?
Mr. Boland
I understand it is not the usual practice, but occasionally ithas happened in order to relieve a driver.
The State pays the compensation?
Mr. Boland
Yes.
These are included in the tabular statement which the Minister is to circulate?
Mr. Boland
Yes.
Then we will hear about it on another day.