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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 Mar 1990

Vol. 397 No. 3

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of Foreign Travel.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

1 Mr. Dukes asked the Taoiseach the projected cost of foreign travel on commercial airlines by him while engaged in EC Presidency duties for the first half of this year.

I regret I am not at this stage in a position to say what costs for travel on commercial airlines may be incurred by me while engaged in EC Presidency duties.

Is this because the Taoiseach intends to use the Government jet on most of his déclassement?

Is that the reason the Government have acquired a second Gulf Stream jet which has been allocated the Air Corps, serial number 255?

I am not clear about this. Is the Deputy suggesting that the Government have acquired a second Gulf Stream jet?

No. The Deputy had better go back to his sources.

I am asking why a serial number 255 has been allocated to a second Gulf Stream jet while the one that is currently in use has the serial number 249?

I have not the foggiest idea but I want to assure the Deputy that we have one Gulf Stream jet and no more and that we do not intend to acquire another one.

Will the Taoiseach tell me how it is reported in a reputable journal on these matters that the Air Corps have acquired a second Gulf Stream jet number 255?

I suggest that the Deputy cease taking that particular magazine.

Since the Taoiseach does not seem to have the foggiest notion of what this is about——

——will he agree that it is not a good position to be in, whether he is in or out of a Gulf Stream jet? Will the Taoiseach inform himself, and perhaps, give the information to the House, what kind of aircraft has been allocated the number 255?

I want to reassure the Deputy, if he needs reassurance, that the Government have one Gulf Stream jet, they have no other Gulf Stream jets in contemplation, and they do not intend to have another Gulf Stream jet. One Gulf Stream jet is quite enough for us. I find it impossible to fly in two aeroplanes at the same time.

The Minister for Defence can fly five helicoptors at the same time.

I suggest to the Leader of the Opposition that he desist from these trivia.

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