Govt to cut cost of State cars by a third

Operational costs of the State Car Fleet is to be reduced by a third over the next two years afte today's Budget announced for 2011.

Cars used by former Taoisigh and Presidents and other users will be pooled.

The number of Gardaí assigned to this work on a daily basis will be reduced.

Costs will be contained by reducing the engine size of the state car fleet to 2 litres or less as the cars in the fleet are replaced.