asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the restriction imposed on the use of Ministerial State cars.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial State Cars.
83.
An official car is placed at the disposal of each Minister and Parliamentary Secretary for use as if the car were his own private property which has been the rule continuously since 1940.
I take it that a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary then is in order in campaigning in by-elections throughout the country with his State car?
Yes.
And do I take it that a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary is entitled with his State car to drive voters to the polling booths?
That question was asked on a number of occasions in this House before and from what I read in the files the answer on those occasions was "Yes".
(Interruptions.)
May I take it from the Minister that a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary is entitled to use his State car in a by-election in the constituency of Donegal/Leitrim to drive party hacks and supporters from polling booth to polling booth?
Deputy O'Connell.
Could I answer the other Deputy's supplementary? I am sure that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle——
If the Minister wishes to answer the supplementary, very good. The Chair thought that he might wish to take the supplementaries together.
Would it not be a good time to consider abandoning this idea of State cars?
That is a separate question.
(Interruptions.)
The decision of the Government was made on 18/6/1940 that free transport should be provided, that the car is to be placed at the disposal of the Minister and each of the other persons concerned as it if were his own personal property. This was reaffirmed by a decision of the Coalition Government at a meeting held on 29/10/1949 and has been the position since.
Then the Minister or Parliamentary Secretary is entitled to carry voters to the polls?
The Minister is entitled to carry any of his friends or acquaintances in the car.
Does the Minister say that it is in order that the car be used without the Minister or a member of his family being in it, to carry voters to the polling booths?
That is a separate question.
(Interruptions.)