Simon Harris selling €43,500 Audi after taxpayer provides new state car

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris is selling his own private high-end car after receiving a new State car from the taxpayers with a garda driver.

His Audi A6 is on the market for €43,500.

This week, the minister posted an advertisement for the sale to his social media pages, but it was taken down shortly after.

The minister is changing up his mode of transportation and is likely to purchase a newer, more family-friendly vehicle for his own use.

The 2019 Audi is sleek and black, equipped with all the standard modern features, and is said to be extremely quick and well-maintained. The 2-liter engine has 83,500 kilometres on it. A reputable dealership is managing the sale.

Being driven around in a State vehicle has frequently been a point of contention because it is seen as a benefit of the job.

Following a security review, last month most ministers switched to government vehicles driven by garda close protection officers.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris recommended the shift from civilian drivers amid security concerns. It marks the return to the system in place up to 2011. Since then only the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Minister for Justice and certain other office holders had garda drivers for security reasons. 

The taxpayers paid for the civilian drivers of the other Cabinet ministers, who were required to provide their own vehicles.

%d bloggers like this: