Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 20 Feb 1992

Vol. 416 No. 1

Written Answers. - Government Jet.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

59 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of (a) the total anticipated cost to the Exchequer of the acquisition by the Government of a Gulfstream IV Executive Jet, (b) the total cost of any changes made to the interior of the plane and (c) the total cost of other planes currently available for ministerial travel in the possession of the Air Corps; if alternatives to the purchase of the Gulfstream IV, such as the purchase and refurbishment of a Boeing 727 or 737 commercial airliner, were considered by the Government and the reason these were not chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Wilson)

As already stated in reply to Questions Nos. 2, 3 and 12, the Gulfstream IV aircraft is being acquired on the basis of a lease arrangement at a cost of about £2 million per annum. No additional cost was incurred in the fitting out the interior of the aircraft.

No offers to supply a Boeing 727 or 737 commercial airliner, which have a much larger passenger capacity than is required for the Ministerial Air Transport Service, were received in response to the tender competition held for an executive jet aircraft. Other aircraft used for the purpose of the Ministerial Air Transport Service are a HS 125 jet aircraft and a Beech Kingair turbo prop aircraft, which were purchased in 1980 at a total cost of £3.45 million.