Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I anticipated that someone would not miss the opportunity to ask that question. As I said on previous occasions in reply to questions, that is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. In so far as there is any useful purpose to retain some of those cars I expect he will retain them. He previously said that those not required will be sold. It was only approximately two weeks ago that Ministers had to make their own arrangements to start using their own cars with civilian drivers. In the past ten or 14 days, the Garda Commissioner has had some other issues on his mind, such as the visit currently taking place and the visit of President Obama which we look forward to on Monday. I expect when those matters have been dealt with and the visits are completed, he will direct his mind as to how to best deal with the cars now being made redundant.

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