Taoiseach will finally use S-class Mercedes
TAOISEACH Brian Cowen has finally agreed to use a new €150,000 Mercedes after the supplier refused to take it back.
Mr Cowen, currently chauffeured in a car worth half that amount, has refused to use the brand new Mercedes S-Class saloon since he came to power.
But the car was ordered anyway, and has been lying unused since Mr Cowen took over the reins -- if not the wheel.
The state car has been six months in a garda garage at headquarters in the Phoenix Park, after being ordered as a matter of routine for the new Head of Government last June.
Mr Cowen has declined to take possession of the black Mercedes S-350, believing it would send out the wrong signals in these difficult economic circumstances. The car was ordered without his knowledge or consent.
Refused
After his refusal, officials tried to return the car, but the supplier was unwilling to accept it back. It is understood the State was seeking a portion of the purchase price in exchange for the return of the vehicle, with the original sum being heavily discounted. But a sell-back was still refused.
The stand-off has caused a headache at garda HQ, where the limo needs to remain regularly plugged into a charger -- in lieu of driving -- as otherwise its onboard computer would go down, rendering the car unusable to anyone.
The Department of Justice confirmed in weekend reports that the car had not been used.
"A replacement Mercedes S-Class was ordered for the current Taoiseach in the normal way and was delivered some time ago to garda headquarters.
"The Taoiseach, however, in the light of the changed financial and economic circumstances, decided not to take delivery of this car and instead to retain his current Mercedes E-Class for as long as possible," a spokesman said.
He confirmed that the Taoiseach requested that the possibility of returning it to the supplier should be explored.
"This did not prove possible. The question of deploying it for alternative use within the fleet has also been considered. Appropriate alternative use has not been identified," he said.
"As a result of the failure to find another role for the limo, the Taoiseach has decided to make use of it after all.The car will be allocated for his use in the near future."
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- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor
