'Embarrassed' Ahern backs plans to purchase a new Government jet
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has backed plans to buy a new Government jet, despite the expected political fallout.
The move comes after the 12-year-old Gulfstream GIV jet broke down twice in the past couple of months, in embarrassing incidents for the Taoiseach himself and other ministers.
Plans had already been in the pipeline for the leasing of a second jet in the run-up to Ireland taking over the Presidency of the EU next January.
But Mr Ahern, it is understood, believes they cannot delay any longer in replacing the GIV which has been becoming increasingly troublesome, and is determined to secure a replacement without further delay.
Ministers are prepared for widespread public criticism if they go ahead with buying a new plane in the current difficult economic circumstances.
But Mr Ahern fears further breakdowns of the GIV during Ireland's term heading the EU would reflect badly on the country and cause further embarrassment.
It is expected that Defence Minister Michael Smith will be asked to explore the options for buying a new executive jet.
The jet was bought for €44m in 1991 and went into service early the following year.
It is believed the GIV would have a "trade-in" value of about €20m but Government officials would not speculate in advance of a tender process on how much more money might be needed to secure a replacement.
The GIV has more than 7,500 flying hours clocked up and the Department of Defence says it has had a "98pc availability" rate during its lifetime.
But ministers have called its reliability into question after several high-profile breakdowns in the past year.
In December, Marine Minister Dermot Ahern and Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh had to make hurried alternative arrangements for an important EU meeting after the jet was grounded.
And Mr Ahern himself had a first-hand taste of the problems with the jet when it broke down at Mexico City airport last Friday week.
Irish Embassy officials fixed up alternative commercial flights for Mr Ahern and partner Celia Larkin back to Dublin via Amsterdam.
There were two separate faults discovered in the jet during the pre-flight inspection in Mexico, one in a fuel tap and the second with the hydraulics.
Replacement parts had to be flown in for the jet which was back in service the following day.
In the past, the plane has let Mr Ahern down on one particularly important occasion. Over a year ago, it had to be towed away from the runway at Washington Airport after it developed a fault. Mr Ahern was due to travel to New York to meet UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. No alternative flight could be secured to get the Taoiseach there in time so the meeting had to be aborted.
The Department of Defence says the flying hours on the jet are not high by the standards of such aircraft.
But a spokesman said it does have more than the average number of take-offs and landings because of its frequent usage within the country.
The main engine had to be replaced in 2001 while significant rusting of the plane's tail was also discovered that same year.
It accommodates 14 passengers on local and European flights but can only take 10 on longer trips such as transatlantic flights.
Gene McKenna, Political Editor
TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has backed plans to buy a new Government jet, despite the expected political fallout.
The move comes after the 12-year-old Gulfstream GIV jet broke down twice in the past couple of months, in embarrassing incidents for the Taoiseach himself and other ministers.
Plans had already been in the pipeline for the leasing of a second jet in the run-up to Ireland taking over the Presidency of the EU next January.
But Mr Ahern, it is understood, believes they cannot delay any longer in replacing the GIV which has been becoming increasingly troublesome, and is determined to secure a replacement without further delay.
Ministers are prepared for widespread public criticism if they go ahead with buying a new plane in the current difficult economic circumstances.
But Mr Ahern fears further breakdowns of the GIV during Ireland's term heading the EU would reflect badly on the country and cause further embarrassment.
It is expected that Defence Minister Michael Smith will be asked to explore the options for buying a new executive jet.
The jet was bought for €44m in 1991 and went into service early the following year.
It is believed the GIV would have a "trade-in" value of about €20m but Government officials would not speculate in advance of a tender process on how much more money might be needed to secure a replacement.
The GIV has more than 7,500 flying hours clocked up and the Department of Defence says it has had a "98pc availability" rate during its lifetime.
But ministers have called its reliability into question after several high-profile breakdowns in the past year.
In December, Marine Minister Dermot Ahern and Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh had to make hurried alternative arrangements for an important EU meeting after the jet was grounded.
And Mr Ahern himself had a first-hand taste of the problems with the jet when it broke down at Mexico City airport last Friday week.
Irish Embassy officials fixed up alternative commercial flights for Mr Ahern and partner Celia Larkin back to Dublin via Amsterdam.
There were two separate faults discovered in the jet during the pre-flight inspection in Mexico, one in a fuel tap and the second with the hydraulics.
Replacement parts had to be flown in for the jet which was back in service the following day.
In the past, the plane has let Mr Ahern down on one particularly important occasion. Over a year ago, it had to be towed away from the runway at Washington Airport after it developed a fault. Mr Ahern was due to travel to New York to meet UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. No alternative flight could be secured to get the Taoiseach there in time so the meeting had to be aborted.
The Department of Defence says the flying hours on the jet are not high by the standards of such aircraft.
But a spokesman said it does have more than the average number of take-offs and landings because of its frequent usage within the country.
The main engine had to be replaced in 2001 while significant rusting of the plane's tail was also discovered that same year.
It accommodates 14 passengers on local and European flights but can only take 10 on longer trips such as transatlantic flights.
Gene McKenna, Political Editor
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