The provision of full-time Garda transport for State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy has been ruled out by Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.
Minister of State for Health Brian Lenihan, replying on his behalf, said it had never been the practice to provide such transport. "As a wholly exceptional measure during the recent period, when the current State Pathologist did not have a deputy to assist her, Garda transport was made available," he said.
However, a new deputy pathologist was appointed last November and as such the workload, and the travel, could once again be shared, said Mr Lenihan. "It is against this background, the Minister understands, that the Garda authorities reviewed the need to provide an on-demand Garda transport facility. This appears to him not to be a question of cutbacks . . . the circumstances which gave rise to the need for special transport arrangements no longer apply."
Mr Lenihan was replying to Labour justice spokesman Joe Costello, who said it was essential the State Pathologist be able to reach crime scenes in the shortest possible time.
"Seventy-three gardaí are attached to the ministerial pool of drivers at a cost of €5 million, and yet the Government cannot find the funds to provide one extra driver for the State Pathologist," he added.
