Taoiseach defends cost of ‘Ministerial Mercs’

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has insisted the cost of the “Ministerial Mercs” is a minor issue in comparison with the budgetary crisis.

The Cabinet provoked widespread anger last week when ministers arrived one-by-one in their Garda-driven cars for a budget meeting at Farmleigh.

Ministers later admitted it had been a public relations disaster, and Green leader John Gormley signalled that the size of the ministerial fleet would be reduced in the budget through a car-pooling arrangement.