Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 July 2015
348. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide a detailed cost break-down and a flight itinerary, including cost per hour, for the Government jet, of all costs associated with a trip (details supplied) including a list of all who were part of the delegation; if other Departments are contributing to the costs of the trip; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29978/15]
View answerThe delegation, which recently visited L.É. Eithne in Valletta, Malta, consisted of Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for Defence, Ms Frances Fitzgerald T.D., Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr. Sean Sherlock T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Maurice Quinn, Secretary General, Department of Defence, Lieutenant General Conor O’Boyle, Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces and Ms. Marion Mannion, Special Adviser to Minister Fitzgerald.
The total duration of the flight on the Government Jet was 8 hours 45 minutes. The Department of Defence follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under each of two headings:
(a) The variable cost, which comprises costs incurred only when the aircraft is flown including maintenance, fuel and support services; and (b) The total cost, which comprises the variable cost plus the fixed cost associated with having the aircraft. The latter comprises personnel costs and depreciation.
The current average variable cost per hour for the Learjet 45 is €2,570.
The current average total cost per hour is €4,940.
Final costs in relation to all other aspects of this visit are not yet available but it is agreed that each Department would be responsible for their own costs.
