andMr. Mullen asked the Minister for Justice whether his attention has been drawn to a report concerning the duties of drivers of Ministerial cars; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
75.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Drivers of Ministerial Cars.
74.
asked the Minister for Justice whether his attention has been drawn to a report that a member of the Garda assigned to driving duties in a Minister's car was penalised for reading a newspaper while on duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
76.
Mr. Barrett
asked the Minister for Justice if it is a fact that regulations prevent the drivers of Ministerial cars from reading newspapers whilst the cars are stationary and otherwise unoccupied; and, if so, if he will consider altering the regulation.
77.
Mr. Barrett
asked the Minister for Justice if it is a fact that during the month of March Garda John O'Sullivan who was a driver assigned to the car of the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries was transferred from these duties; and, if so, what were the particulars of the circumstances leading to the transfer.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 75, 76 and 77 together.
I have no responsibility for the newspaper reports in question and a statement in some of them that a member of the Garda assigned to driving a Minister's car was penalised for reading a newspaper, while on duty, is not true.
Could the Minister give the circumstances in which the driver was transferred?
I say very seriously that further discussion is not in the interests of the force and particularly is not in the interest of the driver concerned, and I ask the Deputy has he been requested by the man concerned to raise this matter? I can assure the Deputy it is not in his interests.
Will the Minister say why he was not reading the Irish Press?