asked the Minister for Justice the amount of parking fines collected in the city of Limerick in the period 1st January to 1st June, 1975.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Limerick City Parking Fines.
15.
I presume the Deputy is referring to the "fines-on-the-spot" scheme. The total amount remitted to my Department during the period the 1st January 1975, to the 1st June, 1975, in respect of payments made under the "fines-on-the-spot" scheme for parking offences in the city of Limerick was £5,760.
Would the Minister inform the House if any instruction has issued to the Garda recently informing them that they should be more active when dealing with parking fines? There is a certain resentment about this direction among the Garda at local level who feel they are being called upon to act as tax collectors for a bankrupt Government.
That is a separate question.
No instruction has been issued by me and I deprecate the Deputy's suggestion.
Is the Minister denying that this instruction has been issued?
No instruction has been issued by me. That would be an internal matter for the Garda——
By the Minister, by the Commissioner or anybody else?
I do not think the Deputy should come in here and criticise by implication an internal Garda matter involving the Commissioner and his men.
Question No. 16.
This is factual. Is the Minister denying that such a direction has issued?
I am not aware of such a direction. The Deputy asked if I issued it and I am saying that I did not.
That is an evasion.
Order. The Deputy is extending the subject matter.
The Minister said he did not issue it but that is an evasion.
I did not issue it. That is not an evasion but a statement.
Is the Minister aware——
I have said I did not issue it.
Is the Minister denying——
I am saying that I did not——
I am calling Question No. 16.
It is well known that the garda on the beat——
Order.
They resent being asked to act as tax collectors——
I did not issue it.
There is no need for disorder at Question Time.
——to get money to pay their wages.
(Interruptions.)
Is the Minister aware of the opinion that last month Garda salaries were paid by Guinnesses?