asked the Minister for Justice the cost of providing vehicles and drivers for each Minister individually in the year ended 31st March, 1974.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Ministerial Drivers.
52.
In reply to a parliamentary question from the Deputy on 2nd May I gave the total cost and explained that any attempt to work out costings in respect of individual Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries would present considerable difficulties.
I have again reviewed the matter and I remain satisfied that that is the position and that an inordinate amount of Garda time would be involved in producing costings on the basis sought by the Deputy. Not only that but, as I have already pointed out, any such costings could not be accurate because they would neces sarily include certain elements that would have to be assigned on an arbitrary basis. It would be unreasonable, given present demands on police services, to ask the Garda to waste valuable time on an exercise that could not produce accurate figures and that, as far as I can see, would have little benefit. The House is already aware of the costs of ministerial transport, costs which are spread over 22 persons. I cannot see any valid reason for attempting to produce individual as distinct from average costings.