asked the Minister for Supplies if he will state the number of letters written from his Department to doctors in the City and County of Dublin since the 15th May asking for an explanation as to why their cars were standing in particular places in the streets, the reason for the making of such inquiries, the number of letters of explanation received, the number of such explanations considered unsatisfactory, the grounds upon which they were considered unsatisfactory, the nature of any action taken, including the nature of any general instructions issued.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of Petrol by Doctors.
Letters requesting explanations from all categories of owners of permitted cars, including doctors in the City and County of Dublin, have been issued by my Department in all cases where the information reaching the Department indicated possible misuse of the vehicle concerned. The number of such letters written to doctors in the City and County of Dublin since the introduction of the permit system is 46. Replies have been received in 43 cases. Explanations have been considered unsatisfactory in 11 cases on the ground that the vehicle concerned was used for a purpose other than that for which the permit was intended and warning letters were issued to the doctors concerned. One permit has been withdrawn on other grounds and one case is still under inquiry. The general purposes for which permits and petrol are made available to medical doctors are indicated in the warning letters issued.
Is the Minister aware that, on the 16th June, a letter was addressed by his Department to a doctor living at 13 Parnell Square telling him that his car was observed outside the house next door—No. 12— on the 6th June and asking for an explanation as to the purpose for which the vehicle was being used on that occasion? Will the Minister say whether it is his intention to write to doctors and ask them why their cars are standing outside their own doors or within ten or 20 yards of their own doors? If so, what possible purpose is being served by these inquiries and what possible misuse of the car is suggested when a doctor has it standing outside his own door?
In every case in which information reaches my Department which indicates a possible misuse of a vehicle, an explanation will be required and, if the explanation is not satisfactory, the permit will be withdrawn.
Have the Department of Supplies nothing better to do than inquiring from doctors why their cars are parked outside their doors and, by reference simply to the date on which it was observed there, asking what it was being used for at the time?
Does the Minister allege that it is prima facie evidence of misuse of a doctor's car that he should have it standing outside his own door and, if he does not make that allegation, why did his Department address the letter in question to this doctor?
I do not know what letter the Deputy is talking about.
General Mulcahy has asked the Minister if his Department addressed a letter to a doctor resident at 13 Parnell Square asking why his car was standing outside No. 12 Parnell Square. The Minister's reply is that a letter will be addressed to every person who uses his car in a way which creates a doubt as to whether it is being used in accordance with the terms of his permit. Does the Minister assert that it is evidence of misuse of a doctor's car to have it standing outside his own hall door and, if not, why was that letter sent?
If notice of that question is given me, I shall have the facts examined.