Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Use of State Car.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will state why a Deputy of Dáil Éireann is allowed the use of a State car to carry him to and from Dáil Éireann and also to visit his constituency.
Comment on this
I am not prepared to give the reasons for the allocation of cars under the control of my Department, but I can assure the Deputy that I am satisfied that each allocation is in the public interest.
Comment on this
Is the Minister aware that a Deputy of this House, Deputy G. Boland, uses a State car for the purpose of visiting his constituency in County Roscommon for political purposes? Is the Minister further aware that this same State car, at the taxpayers' expense, is used as a kind of family taxi for social and domestic reasons by the same Deputy——
Comment on this
Definitely not. I got a lift from Deputy Boland in 1944, but I did not know at that time that it was a State car.
Comment on this
Order. If Deputy McQuillan cannot cease disorderly interruptions he will have to leave the House.
Comment on this
I want to ask the Minister for Justice to state whether this is an escort car available to Deputy Boland but which is not actually given to him.
Comment on this
Does the Minister think it is in the public interest or fair to the taxpayers to have this escort car available to Deputy Boland?
Comment on this
May I say that I deprecate the statements made. I am quite satisfied that each car allocated on these duties is allocated in the public interest. I am responsible for that order.