asked the Taoiseach whether any of his Ministers or Ministers of State have, since their appointment, attended any meeting of any local authority, local authority committee, health board or health advisory committee, in respect of which they have claimed or been paid travelling subsistence or other expenses; whether he will make inquiries as to whether any such expenses have been claimed or paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Travel Expenses.
2.
No member of the Government has claimed or been paid expenses for such meetings.
Under revised arrangements for official transport introduced in November 1983, Ministers of State, other than the Government Chief Whip, must provide their own transport and are paid a mileage allowance for mileage related to official business. Four Ministers of State have made claims to local authorities or other bodies for normal expenses for attendance at meetings of these organisations. I am assured that there has been no duplication between these claims and any payments for expenses incurred in the performance of ministerial duties.
First, will the Taoiseach confirm that one of his junior Ministers on the date notice of this question was published in newspapers tendered his resignation to Dublin County Council? Secondly, will he agree that part of the whole purpose of travel expenses paid to county councillors is to reimburse them for the capital cost of their car, if they use such, and that part of the money given to junior Ministers is to do the same thing? Is it not a long-standing tradition and a desirable one to be maintained that junior Ministers should resign their positions on these bodies from which large sums of money are recoverable as expenses for attendance? Is it not incumbent on the Taoiseach now to request his junior Ministers as quickly as possible to follow Deputy Brennan's example?
We dealt with that question recently in the House. It was disposed of quite recently.
Yes, I intend to go along the lines suggested by the Deputy.
With respect, why has it taken until last Sunday for Deputy Séamus Brennan to resign? Why has the Taoiseach not indicated to his junior Ministers that they should all resign forthwith? There is nothing stopping him from doing so.
I have already indicated to junior Ministers that at the earliest possible moment they should resign. The Deputy will understand that there are local considerations and circumstances applying in a number of cases which make it difficult for them to resign immediately. I can assure the Deputy that——
Not least is the doubt about the future of the Government.
Question No. 3 postponed.