Official Travel

Tuesday, 23 January 2024

Questions (150)

Mick Barry

Question:

150. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence what the policy is regarding the usage of private aeroplanes for official travel for his Department; and if he will report on his recent transport choice and related expenses to the Balkan region. [2922/24]

View answer

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence

The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) provides the Government and the President with an independent and flexible air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations.

MATS is delivered primarily by the use of the Learjet 45 aircraft, which came into operation in 2004. However, other Air Corps aircraft may also be used. My Department has contracted an air taxi contingency arrangement, which provides for the short-term charter of crewed jet aircraft, to augment the existing Ministerial Air Transport Service operated by the Air Corps. This arrangement will be utilised on occasions when the military aircraft currently operated by the Air Corps are unavailable or unsuitable for a particular mission.

The final cost for the Taoiseach's trip to the Balkan region by air taxi is currently not available, I will arrange to have same forwarded when available.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51

I refer to your recent Parliamentary Question No 150 (copy attached for ease of reference) in which you requested information, inter alia, in relation to transportation costs arising from the Taoiseach’s visit to the Balkan region. The cost information relating to the expenses was not readily available in advance of the deadline for response. I can now confirm the transportation/flight costs for the Taoiseach's trip to the Balkan region which involved the following flights for the Taoiseach and Seven (7 ) officials is set out as follows:

10 January 2024	CASEMENT – PRISTINA
11 January 2024	PRISTINA - PODGORICA
12 January 2024	PODGORICA – SKOPJE SKOPJE - CASEMENT
Total cost	€110,014