Humphreys gets garda protection drivers amid pay-off row

Social protection minister granted garda driver despite the practice being put on hold

Heather Humphreys has become the eighth minister to get a garda driver despite the practice being paused while the severance issues regarding previous civilian drivers are being sorted out. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

A stop on Cabinet ministers getting Garda drivers has been ordered but only after Heather Humphreys was able to avail of the perk this weekend.

Ms Humphreys, the social protection minister, is the eighth member of Cabinet to have garda protection officers assigned to her, on foot of a security review by Garda Commissioner Drew Harris, the Irish Examiner can reveal.