Cabinet records on “ministerial Mercs” and decision to allow ministers to use bus lanes

These are Cabinet records from the government decisions of 2011 and 2012 surrounding arrangements for ministerial transport.

In 2011, a decision was made to abolish state cars for all but the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Justice, the DPP, Chief Justice, and the President.

Other ministers would be allowed to hire garda drivers, use their own cars, and claim mileage.

A separate decision was also made that ministers would be allowed to use bus lanes against the advice of then Transport Minister Leo Varadkar.

The records were obtained under FOI by Right to Know. Cabinet records are available under FOI after five years unless still considered exempt.