Former taoisigh to lose state cars

FORMER taoisigh Bertie Ahern, Albert Reynolds, John Bruton, Garrett FitzGerald and Liam Cosgrave will lose their state cars within months under cost-cutting measures announced by the Government.

The Cabinet decided at its weekly meeting to end the situation whereby all senior ministers and certain former office-holders are entitled to “Ministerial Mercs”.

Once the arrangements are implemented, state cars and Garda drivers will be provided only for the President, Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Justice Minister, Chief Justice and Director of Public Prosecutions.