Ministerial Transport

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2017

Tuesday, 11 July 2017

Ceisteanna (841)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

841. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of times the Government has utilised Cork Airport in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017 using the ministerial air transport service for the transport of Government Ministers; the type of air transport used on each occasion; the Minister transported on each trip; the number of personnel used; the reason for each trip; and the cost per trip to the Defence Forces. [32772/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Defence

The Ministerial air transport service is provided by the Air Corps to assist the President and members of the Government in fulfilling their official engagements at home and abroad. Updated statistical information relating to the use of the service is published on my Department’s website on a monthly basis. Average hourly cost information relating to the service is also available on my Department’s website.

The Ministerial air transport service utilised Cork airport once during the period from 2014 to date in 2017. The specific information sought by the Deputy is detailed in the following table.

Date
Departure date	04/09/2014
Return date	04/09/2014
Ministerial time on board (Minutes)	90
Route	Baldonnel - Cork - Cardiff - Baldonnel
Department	Department of Defence
Passengers	Minister plus 4 passengers
Aircraft	Learjet 45
Crew	3
Learjet 45 - average total cost per hour	€4,940