Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform, further to Parliamentary Question No. 347 of 12 October 2010 in reference to the small pool of vehicles, the number, make and age of these vehicles; the annual cost of fuel, depreciation, staffing for these vehicles; if they are solely for use within the Department of Justice and Law Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40491/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my answer to the PQ in question on 12 October, the two multipurpose vehicles are available for transportation of official post, documents, files and other materials. They may also be used on occasion to transport officials where otherwise a taxi may be required. The two diesel engined multipurpose vehicles in question (Ford Galaxy and Ford Tourneo) are almost four years old; they can be configured as the need arises for use as people carriers or for carrying materials. No precise details are available on the fuel spend, but it is around €80 per month per vehicle.

The driving of these vehicles is part of the regular duties of a number of departmental Service Officers and as such, additional staffing costs where they arise are nominal. For the sake of completeness, I should also add that in addition to the use of these vehicles in assisting the efficient discharge of departmental business, they also give rise to significant savings in taxi costs which would otherwise be required in the absence of such a facility.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if the Department of Justice and Law Reform has sole responsibility for issuing State vehicles; the guidelines for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40492/10]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if there are guidelines in place regarding the use of State cars; if he will outline any such guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40684/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I proposed to take Questions Nos. 172 and 175 together.

Office Holder cars are provided to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Government Ministers, President, Chief Whip, Ceann Comhairle, Attorney General, Director of Public Prosecutions, Chief Justice, former Taoisigh and Presidents pursuant to a long standing arrangement maintained by successive Governments. Office Holder vehicles form part of the Garda fleet and as such are operated by An Garda Síochána.