asked the Minister for Communications the names, addresses and qualifications of drivers employed by his Minister of State and the former Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs; the allowances and other expenses paid; and the estimated cost of travel in 1983 under the new arrangements in comparison with the cost of the provision of State cars in 1983.
Written Answers. - Ministerial Drivers.
324.
The Minister of State at the Department of Communications, (and formerly at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs) Deputy Ted Nealon, concurrently serves at the Department of the Taoiseach to which the question in relation to Deputy Nealon has been referred.
Deputy John Donnellan, former Minister of State at the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, had two drivers employed: (1) Mr. James Murphy, Milltown, County Galway, (2) Mr. John Nestor, Tuam, County Galway. Both men are experienced drivers.
The total cost of all payments was £3,997.96. I understand that the cost of providing official transport for Ministers is not kept in Garda records in such a way as to enable the comparative cost sought to be given.