More than €1.3m was spent on State cars in 2008

MORE THAN €1 million was spent last year on cars including BMWs and a Mercedes for Government Ministers and former office holders, according to figures released this week.

In 2008 the State bought three BMW 525 cars, one Audi A6, a Volvo S80, a Citroen C6, a Mercedes S320, and a Ford Galaxy, at a cost of €509,675.85. “In line with the aim of reducing CO2 emissions, all cars are diesel powered,” according to Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern. It also emerged that the State spent €794,002.41 on cars for four former taoisig.

The figures were released in written replies to parliamentary questions and amount to €1,303,678.26 in total.

Labour security spokesman Pat Rabbitte who asked the number, model and cost of each car and planned purchases for 2009, said: “I don’t see why the fleet has to be renewed so frequently, especially at a time of such straitened circumstances. And I think it could be classified as an extravagance at a time when Ministers are lecturing the public sector to tighten their belts.”

The Minister said there were no set rules about when cars are replaced, but this generally happened “when, due to age, condition and/or mileage, they are considered no longer economic to maintain.

“It is not possible to say at this stage, what cars will be purchased this year. Due to the age and profile of the fleet, a significant number of cars were replaced in during 2007 and 2008. Accordingly, a smaller number of cars are expected to be required to be replaced this year.”

Fine Gael enterprise spokesman Leo Varadkar, who also asked about the amount spent on State cars “for Ministers and office holders”, said: “It’s reasonable enough to provide cars for Ministers and the Chief Justice, but there should be a moratorium on buying cars for the next couple of years.”

Finian McGrath (Ind, Dublin North-Central) had asked about the amount spent on cars and security for former taoisigh. The €794,002 “includes maintenance and fuel, salaries of Garda drivers and cost of new cars purchased in 2008, where appropriate”, the Minister said.

Mr McGrath said that “all these unnecessary privileges should be looked at in the current economic climate”. He said a postal worker constituent had asked him to ask the question “because he was cheesed off at all the lectures being given about the public service”. Under a “long-standing arrangement” State cars are provided for the President, Taoiseach, Cabinet Ministers, Chief Justice, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Attorney General, Government Chief Whip, Ceann Comhairle, Minister of State for Children and Youth Affairs and former taoisigh and presidents.