asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the business on which a State car, registration number ZU 785, was engaged at Abbeyleix at 12 noon on Sunday, 19th June, 1955.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of State Car.
On the occasion in question the car, which has been allocated for the use of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Local Government, was in use in accordance with the conditions prescribed by the Government in 1940 for the regulation of the use of State cars by Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries.
I would like to know, and I am sure the members of this House would like to know, if there is any statutory authority under which State cars may be used to transport Coalition speakers and canvassers in local government elections? If there is no such authority, then such a practice can only be described as a shameful one. This practice was widely resorted to in Laois in the recent local elections.
Was it permissible for members of the previous Government to carry live stock in State cars?
Surely, that is a separate question.
Would the Minister state the number of State cars now held by ex-Ministers, and for what purpose?
That is a separate question.
All such cars are in use with the authority of the Government.
Mr. Lemass
Does the Minister suggest the Parliamentary Secretary was in the car on the occasion referred to in the question?
I think the Deputy should not have asked that question, knowing well that the Parliamentary Secretary is ill at the present time.
Mr. Lemass
If the Parliamentary Secretary was not, in fact, in the constituency, how did the car come to be there?
The Minister is well aware that in 1940 the Government allocated cars for use by Parliamentary Secretaries and Ministers, or their families.
Mr. Lemass
But is there any regulation which permits a Parliamentary Secretary's car to be used by a political Party in his constituency when he himself is not there?
I have no evidence that the Parliamentary Secretary's car was used contrary to the regulations.
There was no Parliamentary Secretary in Abbeyleix on June 19th.
Does the Deputy not know that you people used State cars to transport calves?
Mr. Lemass
For myself, let me say my car was never used unless I was in it, or my family.
I think this is a dirty, mean question.
Order! Question No. 2.
Mr. Lemass
I put it to the Taoiseach that some regulations should be drawn up to which Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries would conform. If there are departures then from those regulations that matter can be dealt with; but on this occasion I am told the car was in the constituency and the Parliamentary Secretary was not in the constituency.
Question No. 2, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs.
Your colleagues——
I have called Question No. 2.
——carried calves in a State car.
They were always kind to calves.
Mr. Lemass
What was in the car on this occasion?
Calves! The Deputy does not object to a calf getting a lift, and he ought to acknowledge it.