Cars for former taoisigh cost state €800k

THE perk of full-time garda-driven state cars for four former taoisigh cost the taxpayer almost €800,000 last year.

The figure is set to rise to almost €1 million this year as a car has been made available to former Fine Gael taoiseach John Bruton, who has returned from Washington where he served as EU Ambassador to the United States.

This will bring to five the number of former leaders who avail of the privilege, which comes on top of their pensions ranging from €90,000 to €100,000 a year.