Gerry Adams
Ceist:1 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Taoiseach if he will set out the protocols and procedures for use of the Government jet. [21199/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 27 September 2011
Ceisteanna (12)
Freagraí ó Béal (11 píosaí cainte)
Requests for use of the ministerial air transport service are made by Ministers' private secretaries to my office and are dealt with, in the first instance, by the staff of my office. Requests are examined by my staff with regard to the need for and purpose of travel, the destination, the availability and suitability of other travel arrangements and other logistical details. Any necessary clarification or further information is sought at this point.
Screened requests are then submitted to me for my consideration and approval, if deemed appropriate. Once approved, all operational matters are settled directly between the office of the Minister in question and the Department of Defence or Air Corps.
The Taoiseach when replying to Deputy Finian McGrath earlier said "No, I cannot reverse these cuts now" but——
At this time.
——could not use the same plain language——
We are dealing now with questions to the Taoiseach.
——in response to my question about caps on bankers' salaries.
The question was if I would reverse them at this time and I said that I cannot.
The Taoiseach knows the point I am making and should not be dodging questions.
I do, but the Deputy needs to be clear about it.
I tabled this question prior to the summer recess, following the fiasco in regard to attempts to transport 14 year old Meadhbh McGivern to London for a life saving liver transplant. There was a whole series of blunders in that regard. Tá a fhios againn go bhfuil sí níos fearr anois. Le cuidiú Dé, beidh sí maith go leor de thoradh ar an surgery. Was consideration given at that time to using the Government jet? Could it have been put at the disposal of the McGivern family? Would the jet be placed at the disposal of a family in similar circumstances?
I understand from a news report that during the past week the Learjet took part in an air show in Malta. What was the cost to the taxpayer of participation in that air show of a jet that is not apparently available to assist citizens?
The Deputy asked two questions. What happened in the Meadhbh McGivern case is to be deeply regretted. Deputy Adams is aware that the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, recently published its report into the failed transfer of Meadhbh to the UK on 2 July for a liver transplant. A key recommendation of that report is that a national aeromedical co-ordination group be established to implement its findings. I believe that is appropriate. The Learjet was used to transfer Meadhbh to the UK on 15 September. The Learjet has been made available on previous occasions for missions of mercy or for medical reasons. We must now move on to implementation of the recommendations of the HIQA report into Meadhbh not being transferred to London on time on the first occasion. I hope, as we all do, she makes a full recovery. I saw reports that a transfer back to Ireland was refused. While not a doctor, it seems to me that an aircraft with 300 other people would not be a suitable place for a young patient in her condition. If there is a request for her transfer back to Ireland, it will be granted.
The cost for the participation of the Government jet in the Maltese air show came to €13,095. This is based on 6.7 hours return flying at an average hourly direct cost of €1,940. This is not a request that comes across my desk when I deal with ministerial transport. The reason for the participation in the show was because the Maltese authorities supported us in transporting Irish citizens out of Libya to Valletta.