Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 December 2004
74 Mr. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of taxpayers’ money spent on the press launch announcing the setting up of the traffic corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32562/04]
View answerI have been informed by the Garda authorities that the fleet of vehicles present during the press launch announcing the establishment of the traffic corps was composed of eight cars or jeeps, two motorbikes and one helicopter. The number of Garda drivers, motorcyclists and air crew involved in presenting this fleet amounted to 12 members.
As the members who participated in this presentation were on regular duty at the time, there were no incremental costs above the normal payroll costs associated with the duration of this event. It is estimated that the payroll cost of members present for the press launch of the traffic corps amounted to some €800. The fleet of vehicles present have already been paid for out of the Garda Vote and, consequently, the only cost would have been the fuel costs of diverting these vehicles from existing duties to Garda headquarters.
The motor vehicles on display were sourced from the following stations: Blackrock, Naas, Mullingar, Fermoy, Ennis, Drogheda, Kells and Castlebar.
