A GOVERNMENT backbencher has criticised the Cabinet decision to change the law to allow Ministers to be driven in bus lanes.
Cork South West Labour TD Michael McCarthy said yesterday it created an impression that politicians were above and beyond the general public.
“It was unwise because it suggested a disconnect with people at a time when the Government is trying to sell them what will be a harsh budget next month,” he added.
The decision to move into the fast lane was taken by Ministers, by way of a majority vote at Cabinet, and was passed by the Dáil on October 18th using a statutory instrument. This is a technical device to process a Government decision without having a debate.
The move was strongly opposed within Cabinet by Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar who pointedly stressed his views in a handwritten note on Government documentation.
Mr Varadkar said yesterday there were different views on issues considered by the Cabinet.
“No matter what your own view might be, you have to abide by the Cabinet decision,” he added.
Ministerial cars ceased to have access to bus lanes when Garda drivers were dispensed with by the Government as a cost-saving measure in line with pledges made before the February general election. Now Ministers use their own cars, have civilian drivers paid by the State and get travel expenses.
President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore have an automatic right to be driven in bus lanes because they retained State cars and Garda drivers.
It has been known for some time that some Ministers were lobbying to have the law changed. However, none went public, fearing a negative public reaction.
Last May, a Department of Transport spokesman said: “This would be a decision for the whole Government and no such decision has yet been taken.”
Except for Mr Varadkar, Ministers were unavailable for comment yesterday, although one privately admitted that it was a public relations disaster. “We will probably be shouted at if we use bus lanes from now on,” the Minister said.
Opposition TDs strongly criticised the move.
Sinn Féin spokesman on transport Dessie Ellis said it was an example of Ministers conferring extra privileges on themselves.
“They talk about abolishing quangos, but this is a quango set up by themselves for their own benefit,” he added.
Mr Ellis said that while he personally disliked sitting in traffic jams, politicians should not be exempted from doing so.
Independent TD Finian McGrath said it was another example of Ministers being out of touch with public opinion. “It is a display of arrogance and an expression of a view that they are above the rest of us,” he added.
