So two days into the publication of details online, and the crowd are already asking some very interesting questions. First on the list is Cartel. Cartel are listed on the expenses documents as having provided car hire services to the Minister and his entourage. The figures involved are rather startling. We are talking about five figure sums simply for ferrying the minister around. Perhaps the figures are justified in London, but is it value for money? As taxpayers we need to start asking this question.
So I was curious about Cartel, so went digging, as did others on the politics.ie thread.
First, here is the website.
Privately owned since 1989, our company prides itself on first class quality of service, client confidentiality and discretion.
Conveniently based between Heathrow Airport and Central London we cover all destinations within the UK and Ireland and are connected to all major worldwide business cities.
Unit 7A Fleetway Business Park West
14-16 Wadsworth Road
Perivale
Middlesex
UB6 7LD
Second, who registered the domain? It was registered by a firm called CarTel Limousines. Their address is listed as:
CarTel Limousines Ltd
Fleetway Business Park
14/16 Wadsworth Road
Greenford, Middlesex ub6 7ld
UK
tel: 02089970000 fax: 02089970014
Third, check with companies house. Is there a firm called CarTel Limousines? Yup. Company number 03218976.
Fourth, get latest company data. See if address is the same and see who the directors are.
Company document, with name of directors.
17 Pennine Parade
Pennine Drive
London
NW1 1NT
The directors are Terence Gallagher and Margaret Gallagher, both with addresses in Ealing.
Fifth, why the different addresses? Check out Unit 7A Fleetway Business Park West on Google. Satellite photo. Google Streetview:
Then check out other address at Pennine Drive. Satellite photo. Streetview:
Sixth, ask more questions. Why were the bills that big? Can we get a breakdown of the fees? It should be said, this could easily all be perfectly legit. The problem is, since we don’t have invoices, contracts, tenders, receipts, or really anything – a vacuum of information leads to speculation.
I find it very strange that the expenses claims refer to “T Gallagher Car Hire” and not the correct company name of Cartel Limousines Ltd- way too cosy.
The owners of this company are from Mayo ?
There is some mayo connection in that ‘Cartel Direct – Terry Gallagher, Achill & London’ was one of the sponsors for the Mayo People of the Year awards annual dinner in 2008.
A Raffle prize of a “Weekend for two in London…..” which included “Chauffeur driven Limousine for airport, transfer….”
http://mayoassociationdublin.com/MayoMenu08.pdf
Yes.
And these people could be the son + daughter of a former FF TD.
Is the Limo firm in many of the other expenses claims that we haven’t seen yet?
More on that today…
Here is more of it. Sure, as Mary herself says “Maybe he feels, in his current position as Ceann Comhairle he doesn’t want to go public and explain things from three or four years ago.”
Why would he want to explain expenses to the people who are paying for them? Jesus, when will people wake up?
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0820/1224252949802.html
I see this from that Cartel website, in the “Fleet” section;
“We can also provide a high security package including fully armoured luxury saloons and high performance Range Rover and Vauxhall Omega back-up vehicles.”
Could this be the service that the irish government are buying? I imagine that service would be pricy and probably wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility for the government to be providing security details to it’s ministers abroad. I don’t know what their security policy is when they have members of government travelling abroad on official business. Do they have one?
Just a thought.
Your detective work is excellent and impressively thorough. I’m amazed at how much information you can unearth from the internet, without even leaving the house. Please keep digging. 🙂
willing to come to a conclusion?
A conclusion?
Well, Mr Gallagher is none to happy with you Gav – he’s denied his FF links led to favourable treatment from government departments.
O’Donoghue’s use of Gallagher’s company was highlighted last week by Gavin Sheridan, a blogger. “He has this dressed up like we’re something out of The Sopranos,” said Gallagher. “My father was a Fianna Fail TD, so what? I have to earn a living. Are you not allowed to be in business if you’ve a family in politics?”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article6806654.ece
I suppose you believe him…!
The Turbine reckons the Bull took a limo from t3 to t1 in Heathrow. At a cost of €472. More here:
http://www.tribune.ie/news/home-news/article/20…
“He has this dressed up like we’re something out of The Sopranos,” said Gallagher.
Shure doesent everybody know Fianna Fail make the Sopranos look like angels!
Hi
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They also dont hike their prices anytime they have standard prices throughout the year. They also provide good discounts on bookings.
Highly Recommended
Chris Fernandes
There are so many airport transfer companies. How come? Maybe i'm in the wrong business, just wanna make sure 🙂
Hi,
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They provide transfer from all London Airport London Heathrow, Stantead, Luton, London City and London Gatwick.
They also provide 5 % discount on all return Journeys.
Thank you
Mario
Hi
Well, If you are going to London than you can try Hummingbird Cars http://www.hummingbirdcars.com I have tried them For London airport Transfer and they are pretty good and Affordable. They Provide Transfers from all the five London Airports: Gatwick, Luton, London City, Stansted and London Heathrow Airpots. They have very well behaved Drivers who respect their customers. They also provide a MEET and GREET Service. They have well maintained Saloon, Estate, People Carriers (MPV's) and large Public Carriers.
They also dont hike their prices anytime they have standard prices throughout the year. They also provide good discounts on bookings.
Tom
More on Cartel here…
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ire…
And a few comments from the Property Pin…
http://www.thepropertypin.com/viewtopic.php?f=5…
@toratoratora
thats nice offer from them
that why prises are so high 😀