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Joan Burton drives her own car to work in 2011. Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland

The cost of ministerial transport since 2011? ... €14 million

The Department of Justice had, by far, the highest expenditure.

MORE THAN €14 million has been spent on ministerial transport since the start of 2011.

The figures have been revealed in answers to a series of parliamentary questions, tabled by Fianna Fáil’s Willie O’Dea. He asked for figures for the years 2010 to 2013.

However, as Tánaiste Joan Burton notes…

“On taking office, this Government reformed the transport arrangement for Ministers which has radically reduced the cost of travel.

“The Government decided to confine the use of State cars from 1 May 2011 to the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence.

As a result, the average cost of providing transport has been reduced by 65 per cent — from an average cost of €280,000 per minister in 2010 to a current annual estimate of €100,000 per annum.

Other Cabinet ministers are now expected to use their own car for official engagements, and are assigned two civilian drivers. The same practice applies for ministers of state.

The Department of Justice had, by far, the highest expenditure.

Here’s how much was spent during the last three years…

  • 2011 €4.595 million
  • 2012 €2.201 million
  • 2013 €2.160 million

However, the figures show a marked decrease on the previous year’s…

  • 2010 €7.503 million

The Department of Transport didn’t provide figures to Deputy O’Dea, with Minister Paschal Donohoe saying the details were still being worked on.

Some of the expenditure relates to the previous Fianna Fáil-led administration.

Read: Videos: Enda Kenny got a fierce noisy reception from protesters in Cork today

Read: The Troika have come and gone (again) and they’re happy(ish) but won’t talk about water

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    Mute Peter Fechter
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:25 PM

    The Sikh’s delivering aid….great people.

    162
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    Mute James Maloney
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:30 PM

    This is a glimpse of what’s to come after Britain voted to leave the EU. They wanted boarders & separation… then they got to deal with the consequences! Be careful what you vote for, you might get it!

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    Mute Thomas Quinn
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    Jul 25th 2016, 2:29 PM

    God Damn British Immigrants

    60
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    Mute John Moylan
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:38 PM

    …UK better get used to this: the days of fast passage are over..

    142
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    Mute Dotrice Altrium Hollohatch
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:42 PM

    There’s a lot more ports on the south/south-east coasts – and the Tunnel.

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    Mute tommy macdonagh
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:03 PM

    karma is a bitch…

    109
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    Mute Niall O Neill
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:14 PM

    Karma is a kameleon…

    83
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    Mute James Maloney
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:32 PM

    What do they expect! This is a glimpse of what’s to come after Britain voted to leave the EU. They wanted boarders & separation… then they got to deal with the consequences! Be careful what you vote for, you might get it!

    37
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    Mute Dotrice Altrium Hollohatch
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:14 PM

    Many think this French slowdown is because of the UK’s decision to leave the EU – payback…

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    Mute Damocles
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:17 PM

    The French are being childish and petulant about the British making a decision they don’t agree with?

    Stevie Wonder saw that one coming.

    62
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    Mute Mick Power
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:23 PM

    That’s just superstition

    72
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    Mute Grumpeee Oldman
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:43 PM

    Writing on the wall

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    Mute mmz
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:42 PM

    Blame, blame, blame…..but not a word about the lack of police and border staff in France and in England being due to cuts in staffing due to the neoliberal policies pursued by both governments in recent years. The beneficiaries are of course the city of London financial services parasites who have their private jets….no worries there then. How long before police and customs people are on zero hours contracts??

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    Mute Dotrice Altrium Hollohatch
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:47 PM

    This is not caused by cuts – but by the French reaction to Brexit. Thejournal showed the negative feelings here, also.

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    Mute Alan Cooke
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:29 PM

    @mmz
    Is that you Wally?

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    Mute dearg doom
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:23 PM

    Went from UK to France a few weeks ago and noone checked my boot.

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    Mute Grumpeee Oldman
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:59 PM

    Get used to it Britain. This is what you voted for, you 52%

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    Mute James Morris
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:04 PM

    Shocking levels of incompetence on both sides in the failure to have adequate staffing levels after brexit Nightmare scenario for poor families with kids especially and people with medical issues

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    Mute Grumpeee Oldman
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:48 PM

    Opening gambit of brexit negotiations by EU.

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    Mute Ricky Grimes
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    Jul 25th 2016, 12:34 PM

    “People were very, very frustrated and pulling their hair out.’
    It would the average Sikh about 50 years to pull his hair out.

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    Mute Caroline Broadhurst
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    Jul 25th 2016, 1:41 PM

    Now can they tell us if they found anything at all. France are always holding us to ransom

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    Jul 25th 2016, 2:28 PM

    The terrorist are winning

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    Mute Jason Healy
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    Jul 26th 2016, 9:43 AM

    Again, once the tourists get caught up in a queue there is uproar, freight traffic goes through this every week, the ports of Dover and Calais are not fit for use, hasn’t been for a long time, the delays we have to endure are crazy but no one gives a damn

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