Madam, – I am glad to see that Enda Kenny is reviewing the salary and various perks of the office of taoiseach. One that he should look at is the granting to an ex-taoiseach of the privilege of a Garda-driven limousine for life – especially considering the dubious manner in which it arose.
When Seán Lemass came to retire in November 1966, the government decided that he should have a Garda-driven car for the rest of his days. This was probably out of sympathy for his age and health and the fact that he did not drive.
I worked in the Department of the Taoiseach at the time. When the decision came up from the government meeting, I drew the attention of the assistant secretary, Dan OSullivan, to the fact that, if I followed the wording on the decision slip in the letter conveying it to the Department of Justice, it would accord the privilege to every outgoing taoiseach.
The matter was brought to Jack Lynch’s attention, but the message I got back was to go ahead on the basis of the wording from the meeting. Jack was wonderful to work for, but I regret to say that, on that occasion, his feet of clay were in evidence: I felt that he was piggy-backing on the sympathy for Lemass. The members of the government who had just received appointment and re-appointment at his hands were not going to query it, even if they were aware of the full implications of the decision. The cost to the taxpayer of the benefit to him alone would, in the event, amount to about €5 million in current terms.
I do know that his successor, Liam Cosgrave, also a lovely man to work for, rarely uses this privilege, except for occasions such as meetings of the Council of State. I don’t know if this example is widely emulated.
This facility was granted by simple administrative decision and can be similarly undone. It can be dealt with, as on the original occasion, at the first government meeting by the new taoiseach. While I wish Brian Cowen good health and long life to enjoy his various emoluments, I do not think that a Garda-driven car for life should be one of them.
In the same context, I think we should also look at the similar privilege for an ex-president. Esteemed president though he was, it was totally unwarranted to give Dr Hillery such a perk, considering he was in receipt of four public pensions as TD, Minister, EU Commissioner and Uachtarán: in total about €500,000 per annum in current terms.
Much as I admire President McAleese, I would question the need to continue this privilege, especially at the present time. Again, this can be discontinued by administrative decision, Item 2 on the new government’s agenda. The President will have a substantial pension after 14 years compared to the public service norm of 40 years. This is a fair reward for her distinguished service. (Personally, I think that Martin McAleese would make a very worthy successor and this would solve their car problem!).
Present anger is caused, not just by the crippling bailout costs, but by the unwarranted expenditure on ex-officeholders’ perks. These can be so easily terminated. – Yours, etc,