Cars ruled out for former taoisigh

Former taoisigh on substantial pensions are in a position to arrange their own security if they need it, according to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter. He was commenting on claims that former taoiseach Bertie Ahern was assaulted in a Dublin pub last weekend.

"I would not in any circumstances condone anyone engaging in violence towards a former taoiseach or a former minister. If that happened the law should be applied," Mr Shatter told The Irish Times.

The Minister ruled out any review of the Government decision in 2011 to withdraw State cars from former taoisigh and most serving Ministers. “There are some former taoisigh who are receiving very substantial sums of money from the State who, I would think should they need an independent driver or some additional security, are in a position to arrange that themselves.”

He added that if Mr Ahern had been assaulted at the weekend it had nothing to do with whether he had a State car. He relied on advice from gardaí as to what security measures were required by former taoisigh.

Mr Ahern, who receives a State pension of about €135,000, was drinking with friends in a city centre pub on Friday night when a man wielding a crutch approached him in an aggressive manner. It does not appear the former taoiseach was struck.

Mr Shatter said the Government made a decision to limit the number of Garda cars used in politics.

"It was determined that it wasn't necessary that former taoisigh be driven by members of An Garda Síochána.

“There are only three Ministers, three members of Cabinet, who for security reasons are provided with Garda cars with drivers – that’s the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and myself as Minister for Justice for security reasons.”