Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2004
30 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Defence the number of official trips undertaken to date by the new Bombardier Learjet 45; the destinations in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9276/04]
View answerIn July 2003 the Government decided to approve the purchase of a Bombardier Learjet 45 light business jet for the ministerial air transport service, MATS. The Learjet operates in tandem with the Gulfstream IV in providing a ministerial air transport service for members of the Government. The Learjet 45 arrived at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel on 19 December 2003 and the Air Corps then embarked on an intensive training programme. The Learjet entered operational service as part of the ministerial air transport service on 19 January. It has undertaken a total of 21 ministerial air transport missions to the end of February 2004.
The destinations were as follows:
Date — Destination
19 January — Brussels
20 January — Brussels
21 to 23 January — Monrovia
24 January — Zurich
25 January — Zurich
26 January — Brussels
28 January — Brussels-London
2 February — Brussels
6 February — Cork
9 February — Berlin
10 February — Paris
11 February — Belfast
12 February — Brussels
13 February — Paris
18 February — Brussels
19 February — Derry
20 February — Berlin
22 February — Brussels
23 to 24 February — Paris-Brussels-Belfast
25 February — Budapest-Brussels
26 February — Budapest
It should be noted that the Gulfstream IV aircraft remains in service and has carried out 19 missions during the same period. Also, due to the demands arising from the EU Presidency it has been necessary on nine occasions to make use of the Beech King aircraft, which is now primarily used in a training role.
