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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 2

Written Answers. - Air Transport Services.

Tony Killeen

Question:

25 Mr. Killeen asked the Minister for Defence whether Hunting Aviation currently owns or is in possession of an executive jet. [11094/96]

Ivor Callely

Question:

29 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the way in which charges are to be calculated when the new ministerial United Kingdom air transport service comes into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11046/96]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 29 together.

Taking into account the experience of the EU Presidency in 1990 and the expansion of the Union 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 1996 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. A tender competition was held by the Department of Defence in accordance with EU competition regulations for the provision of an air taxi service capable of carrying up to eight people to all major cities within the European Union. The competition was advertised in theEuropean Journal in February 1996 with a closing date for the receipt of tenders of 11 April 1996. The award criteria were set out as being the “economically most advantageous tender in terms of price, quality, date able to take up contract and ability to meet specification.” A total of seven tenders were received.
The tenders were fully evaluated on financial and technical grounds by the Department of Defence. This evaluation involved consultation with the Irish Aviation Authority and the Air Corps. Following the evaluation, the contract was awarded to Hunting Avi-action Ltd. on the basis of the award criteria to which I have already referred. It is not the practice to disclose specific details regarding any particular tender received. This is in accordance with public procurement procedures. The overall cost of the air taxi service will be dependent on the number of flying hours involved.
It was not a condition of the tender specification that the contractor should be the owner or operator of the aircraft to be used in providing the service. In submitting its tender document, Hunting Aviation Ltd. provided full details of the aircraft which it proposed to use in providing the air taxi service. These aircraft are being supplied to Hunting Aviation Ltd. by Heathrow Jet Charter Limited and Aravco Limited of London.
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