Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2009
362 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government availed of the Government jet or other State-owned aircraft since becoming Minister in 2007; the date and cost of each trip taken; the destination of each trip; the reason for the trip; the persons who accompanied him on these trips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5750/09]
View answer363 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Defence the number of times a person (details supplied) has availed of the Government jet or other State-owned aircraft; the reason for, the cost, the destination and the date of each trip taken since they came to office in 2007; the persons who accompanied them on each trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5751/09]
View answer364 Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Defence the number of times the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources availed of the Government jet or other State-owned Government aircraft since becoming Minister in 2007; the date and cost of each trip taken; the destination of each trip; the reason for travelling; the persons who accompanied him on these trips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5752/09]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 362 to 364, inclusive, together.
The Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley T.D., and Minister of State Trevor Sargent T.D., have not availed of the Ministerial Air Transport Service since being appointed in June 2007.
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan T.D. has availed of the Ministerial Air Transport Service twice since June 2007: The Minister and one official from his Department travelled Baldonnel — Edinburgh — Baldonnel on the Learjet 45 on 25-26 September 2008. Minister Ryan's time on board for this mission totalled 1 hour 20 minutes. The Minister and three officials from his Department travelled from Brussels to Baldonnel on the Gulfstream IV on 8 December 2008. Minister Ryan's time on board for this mission totalled 1 hour 30 minutes. On both occasions the flights were shared with other Ministers and officials. My Department does not hold records with regard to the purpose of each trip.
With regard to cost, my Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings:
(a) The direct cost, i.e. the costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown including maintenance, fuel and support services; and
(b) The total cost, i.e. the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft, i.e. depreciation and personnel costs.
The costs associated with Air Corps aircraft used in provision of Ministerial Air Transport Service are as follows:
|
Aircraft |
Average Direct Cost Per Hour |
Average Total Cost Per Hour |
|
€ |
€ |
|
|
Gulfstream |
4,050 |
7,890 |
|
Learjet |
1,270 |
2,950 |
