Mr Charles Haughey's car mobile phone bills are being paid by the Department of the Taoiseach, it has emerged. The phone is in the car provided by the State for Mr Haughey.
In reply to a parliamentary question from the Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, Mr Ahern said in the Dail this week that Mr Haughey's calls were paid from his budget and cost on average almost £1,000 a year.
Mr Quinn had asked the Taoiseach what privileges or facilities were provided by his Department to Mr Haughey; the estimated annual cost of such privileges or facilities; the plans, if any, to review these privileges, and if he would make a statement on the matter.
It was claimed at the Moriarty tribunal last month that Mr Haughey, who faces charges in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of obstructing the McCracken tribunal, received a total of £8.5 million from various sources between 1979 and 1996.
Mr Ahern said the estimated average annual cost of Mr Haugheys's mobile phone from 1997 to 1999 was £978.75, and £417.45 was spent on upgrading his mobile and car installation last year.
Four former Taoisigh - Mr Haughey, Mr Albert Reynolds, Dr Garret FitzGerald and Mr Liam Cosgrave - have their bills paid by the Department of the Taoiseach at an estimated combined annual cost of £7,039.36.