Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

When I consider local authorities, the issue of travel comes to mind. Many local authority staff members must use their own cars, for which they probably receive a quarterly allowance. I am sure that when they started the job, they measured how far they travelled in a three or six month period. I ask Ms Tallon to explain this arrangement. People have complained to me that in local authorities senior staff are on a higher rate for travel than ordinary staff. Could this be correct? I have often heard a complaint that someone such as an area engineer is paid so much per mile, while others working under a person at that grade receive a different rate. It does not seem to be based only on the distanced travelled or engine size of the car, but a higher rate is made available for more senior staff. I ask Ms Tallon to check this out for me.