Dinny McGinley
Ceist:98 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Defence if the Government is considering disposing of the Gulfstream IV jet and replacing it with another aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4873/03]
Ceisteanna – Questions (Resumed). Priority Questions. - Ministerial Air Transport Service.
The ministerial air transport service is currently operated by the Air Corps using the Gulfstream IV aircraft, which was leased for a period of ten years from 19 December 1991. It was purchased in December 2001 on termination of the lease. Owing to this country's assumption of the Presidency of the European Union in January 2004 and the proposed enlargement of the European Union in general, it is anticipated that demands on the ministerial air transport service will increase. The service is therefore being reviewed at present with a view to establishing the Government's needs during this country's Presidency of the European Union and its requirements in the longer term. The question of the retention or disposal of the Gulfstream IV will be considered in the context of this review and a decision on the matter is expected shortly.
We all agree the Government must have an adequate and efficient method of transport to execute its international duties and obligations. Does the Minister agree that one of the main features determining the lifespan of such an aircraft is the number of flying hours? When one considers that the Government jet has clocked up 8,000 hours, which I understand is hardly run-in time in terms of a car, and that the Aer Lingus fleet contains many aircraft with between 30,000 hours and 40,000 hours, the Government jet is relatively new and fresh. Would the Minister not consider the feasibility of having this aircraft completely refurbished at an approved maintenance base? I understand this was previously done in Spain when there was trouble with the aircraft before.
Would the Minister not consider it rather extravagant that we should spend up to €100 million on a luxury plane, as has recently been reported in some newspapers? In these difficult economic times, a plane the size of a bungalow with facilities such as a modern kitchen and bathroom, a queen size bed and a lounge as big as Fagans in Drumcondra would be overdoing it. Would it not be much better to repair the existing aircraft and have it completely refurbished so that it could last for another five to ten years? After all it has only completed 8,000 flying hours.
I thank the Deputy for supporting the Government in having reliable transport to meet our obligations in Europe and the world. This enables business to be transacted in a much more efficient way. I agree with him in saying there is no question of spending €100 million on the type of aircraft about which he is hallucinating. We are practical, pragmatic people. We know the limits of the resources available and we will match that to meeting our needs as best we possibly can. That is what the review will do.
The Gulfstream IV has completed 8,400 hours. As the Deputy says, this is not unusual, but it underwent a major refurbishment programme a year and a half ago. It has regular maintenance and is entirely airworthy. However on a number of high profile occasions there have been problems affecting the Taoiseach's travel, which we very much regret. Some of those occasions were extremely embarrassing for the Taoiseach. The review group will take into account all these considerations, but I can assure the Deputy we are not in the business of extravagance.
We need to put our priorities in order. Last July, the Minister was obliged to cancel a helicopter deal which was in the region of €40 million. We do not have the necessary aircraft to protect our airspace at the moment, in spite of the great difficulties throughout Europe and the world. If we have the €60 million or €70 million, depending on the newspaper one reads – one of them even mentioned €100 million for a Boeing business jet – our priority should be to provide these facilities for our Defence Forces, as I am sure the Minister will agree. With proper refurbishment, the Government jet could last for another four, five or ten years given that the Minister has admitted that 8,000 miles is comparatively low when we consider some of our national fleet has completed over 40,000 miles. There seems to be a huge campaign, generated by the Government and its spin-doctors, in conditioning the Irish people to believe this jet has to be purchased now to carry out our international duties. It can be done adequately with the present jet if it is properly refurbished. I hope the Government will not try to mislead the people by saying it is dangerous.
I have very little to add. The review group is examining this and will report very shortly. There is no question of going down the road the Deputy is suggesting. I have just signed a contract for €60 million to acquire trainer aircraft for the Air Corps, so there is no question of neglecting any aspect of the Defence Forces in the context of meeting the transport requirements of the Government and its successors. The lifespan of an aircraft like this is considerable. The Government has an enormous volume of business at the moment and will have even more when we have the Presidency and as enlargement takes place. The people are best represented by having efficient, quick transport to carry out the national and international business of the Government.