asked the Minister for Supplies whether a supplementary petrol allowance is provided for the officers and members of the Local Defence Force and the Local Security Force, and, if so, whether it is provided from the Army allocation, and, if not. if he will state from what allocation it is provided; further, whether he will state the average quantity of petrol per man per month supplied to the officers and members of the Local Defence Force and the Local Security Force respectively, the conditions in relation to use, price, etc., under which such petrol is issued, and if the supplementary ration is issued only on the condition that it will be used solely on official business, whether he will state what steps have been taken to prevent it being used in connection with the private business of the recipient.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Supplementary Petrol Allowances.
A special allowance of petrol is allocated to the Army authorities for each Local Defence Force district based on the estimated mileage necessary for the efficient administration of the district. The licences are distributed under the direction of the Army authorities solely for local defence purposes.
Similarly, petrol allowances are made to the Gárda Síochána authorities for allocation amongst members of the Local Security Force. Steps are taken by the Army authorities and the Gárda Síochána to ensure that the petrol is used for official purposes only. I have no information as to the price paid by the officers or members of either force for the petrol they use, but I understand it is bought locally at the ordinary current price. I am not in a position to state the average quantity of petrol supplied per man per month to members of these forces.
There should be no difficulty in getting the information. The Minister does not give any assurance with regard to the undesirability of using it for private work.
I think that is a matter for the Department of Defence.
It is common knowledge that professional work is being done on the Army allowance.