asked the Minister for Justice if he will give an estimate of the cost to the State of the recent accident involving the Tánaiste's State car, and if any claims for damages have been received, or are anticipated; and if he will state the cost to the State and the present position in relation to a previous serious accident involving the Tánaiste when he was Minister of State.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Car Accident Cost.
10.
The Garda authorities have informed me that estimates for the repair of the official car allocated to the Tánaiste which was involved in a recent accident are currently being considered with a view to deciding whether to repair or replace the car. Arising from the accident, one claim, for damage to property, has been received and in accordance with normal practice this is being dealt with on behalf of the State by the Chief State Solicitor. No other claims are expected to arise. Pending the outcome of the claim referred to and a decision on whether the car should be repaired or replaced, I am not in a position to indicate the cost to the State of the accident.
The position in relation to the accident which occurred on 15 December 1981, involving the official car allocated to the Tánaiste when he was Minister of State, is that four claims for damages arising from the accident have been paid and a fifth is still under consideration. Pending a final decision on that claim, I am not in a position to indicate the total cost to the State of that accident.
Can the Minister give us the cost to date, first the cost of the claim on the Tánaiste's side and then the combined cost of the other claims? Secondly, in relation to the recent accident, could the Minister give us the cost of replacing the car if it has to be replaced? I understand that it was probably a write-off. Could he tell us who made this one claim which has been received and what the order of that claim is?
On the first part of that question, the cost of the 1981 accident to date has been £401,765 in total. The cost of the Tánaiste's settlement of that case was £170,000. In relation to the most recent accident, as I have said one claim has been made. That claim is from the owner of a wall which suffered some damage. The claim has not yet been settled.
Was there a greyhound in the car and if there was did it suffer injuries? In such case, would such injuries be covered by the State?
I can assure the Deputy that so far we have received no claim in respect of any greyhound for injuries that it might have sustained. I am afraid that I do not have a detailed itemisation of the contents of the car.
Why not? It is quite relevant.
I asked if there was a greyhound in the car. It was alleged in public that there was a greyhound in the car. The Minister should be in a position to clear up that matter very simply here and now. We have seen situations before where Minister of State Donnellan was carrying fodder in his car and I suppose if he can carry fodder it would not be so difficult to carry a greyhound.
Where is Deputy Connolly, to have a word about that?
Surely the Minister can clear up the matter finally.
If I had the answer, I should be very happy to give it to the Deputy, but that matter is not raised in the question. I suggest, if the Deputy has that level of curiosity about the arrangments, that he ring the Tánaiste and ask him himself. I am quite sure there would be no difficulty about his giving an answer.
That is very dismissive.
He will not get a shaggy dog story.
Would the Minister inform the House if the Tánaiste was travelling on official business? Is it true that the car was being driven by a garda friend of the Minister because that garda was a prominent member of the Labour Party and that he was an inexperienced driver?
That seems to be another question.
Deputy O'Keeffe tends to scrape the barrel for his questions and the last part of his question is so far beneath contempt that I would not even bother with it. If the Deputy ever took the time to read the regulations, he might be aware that the conditions under which official cars are provided to members of the Government and certain other persons are on the basis that they will be used as if they were private cars.
Was he on official business?
Some of the Deputy's front bench colleagues could answer that.
Question No.11.
I am very disappointed about that matter.
(Interruptions.)
I might stop the Garda computer until we get that information. Would that suit?
Order.
(Interruptions.)