Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the disparity in overnight rates between the public service and the Civil Service. It has been highlighted to me, with regard to Garda overnight rates, that if a Garda has to come from somewhere such as Belmullet in County Mayo to the Central Criminal Court in Dublin and stay overnight for a case, the maximum payable is €107. As all of us know, we will not get anywhere to stay in Dublin for that. The HSE rate will be increased next week to €195. I do not believe there should be disparity between public servants and civil servants with regard to rates, especially for staying in Dublin. This needs to be addressed.

People will be aware, because I am a public representative, that I was in the courts recently over abuse received by me and my family. I have expressed publicly my disappointment at how this was dealt with by the courts system. That needs to be changed.