John Browne
Ceist:15 Mr. Browne (Carlow-Kilkenny) asked the Minister for Defence the number of flying hours involved, over the past three years, in transporting Government Minister around the country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ministerial Travel.
The answer to the Deputy's question is 877 flying hours over the past three years.
Could the Minister detail exactly which Ministers use the helicopters and for what purposes? Does the Minister not agree that there seems to be an excessive use of helicopter flying hours by Ministers at a time when many feel that the helicopters could be better engaged in more serious activities, such as fishery patrol?
The Deputy has misinterpreted my reply. My reply is that 877 flying hours in the past three years have been taken up transporting Ministers around the country. I do not have the details, but I assure the Deputy that the use of Air Corps aircraft by Ministers and Ministers of State is kept to the minimum.
That policy is in line with a Government decision taken on 14 July 1983 that Ministers and Ministers of State should be permitted to use Army helicopters only in exceptional circumstances and on official visits, and provided that it would not be possible for them to carry out such business by the use of alternative forms of transport. I assure the Deputy that that decision is being adhered to very rigidly.
Are the flights to Inismhicealáin counted?
What is the Government's definition of "official business" and does the Minister consider that all of the flying hours referred to have been for official business? I should like a definition of "official business" first, because at times one wonders just what is official.
When Deputy Taylor-Quinn becomes a member of a government she will realise what "official Government business" is. Deputy Kavanagh would be fully aware of that.
I am indeed.
Does the definition change from Government to Government?
The decision was taken in 1983, during Deputy Kavanagh's time in Government, and that decision has been adhered to rigidly ever since.
What is "official"?
That disposes of Questions for today.
The Minister has not answered the question.
I am sorry, but that disposes of Questions for today.
Ba mhaith liom a iarraidh go gcoinneofaí siar ceist a 53 im ainmse go dtí an chéad lá eile go mbeidh an tAire Cosanta ag tabhairt freagra ar cheisteanna ó bhéil.