Vol. 464 No. 4
126 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the total cost of the 310 Air Corps aircraft journeys to transport members of the Government in 1995; the estimated cost of all aircraft journeys in 1996; and the plans, if any, he has to reduce this expenditure. [7990/96]
The direct cost — which includes maintenance, fuel and support services — of the 310 flights was £866,000. Given that Ireland will hold the Presidency of the EU for the latter half of the year, it is expected that there will be a substantial increase in the level of air transport to be undertaken by Ministers this year. Taking into account the experience of the EU Presidency in 1990 and the expansion of the Community since then, it is clear that existing Air Corps aircraft will not be able to meet all ministerial air transport demands arising in the period of the Presidency. Having considered a range of options, it was decided that the use of an air taxi service would be the most suitable way of meeting all the additional requirements. The Department of Defence is currently running a tender competition to select the supplier of such a service. The aircraft to be used will be capable of carrying up to eight people to all major cities within the European Community. At this stage, it is not possible to anticipate the number of flights that will be required. The direct cost both of the flights to be carried out by Air Corps aircraft and the air taxi service will be dependent on the flying hours involved.
