asked the Minister for Justice (a) the names of all persons who are provided with cars by the State, excluding members of the Government (b) the Departments of State, semi-State agencies and boards constituted by the Government where these persons are employed and the offices they hold (c) the number of drivers employed, the total cost in each case and the type of use for which these cars are permitted and (d) the total overall cost to the State.
Written Answers. - State Cars.
70.
The position in so far as my Department are concerned is that the following, apart from members of the Government and the President's estabishment, are provided with official transport:—— Messrs V. Brady, TD, Chief Whip, J. Murray, Attorney General, S. Treacy, Ceann Comhairle and three, former Taoisigh, Messrs L. Cosgrave, J. Lynch and Dr. G. FitzGerald, TD.
Two Garda drivers are allocated to each user. The average annual cost per user in 1986, including driver costs, is estimated to be £93,000. In accordance with a long-standing Government decision, official cars provided for Ministers and other users are for use as if the cars were their own private property.
I should also mention that in certain instances the Garda authorities consider it necessary for protection purposes to provide a Garda car from time to time for a particular individual. That is a matter for the professional judgment of the Garda authorities and, for security reasons, it is not policy to give information on this subject.