Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 16 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 6

Written Answers. - Ministerial Travel.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

140 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details of the amounts of money, if any, which his Department has received as reimbursement from Fianna Fáil from 1997 to date for the past or full cost of use of Air Corps helicopters or aircraft used by the Taoiseach or Ministers when attending to Fianna Fáil party business in Ireland or abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23488/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

The Air Corps provide a ministerial air transport service to facilitate members of the Government in fulfilling their official engagements both at home and abroad. The question of reimbursement in the circumstances outlined by the Deputy is not one which has arisen in the period mentioned.