Well - In one of the recent reports we learned that Min Paul Kehoe TD said the sale was a matter for the DoD and NS. We were then subsequently informed that the Minister had gifted the ship to Malta despite the offer of €500,000 towards the State coffers. So if it was a political decision why doesn't the Dept say so and have the courtesy to at least reply to a potential bidder? It is after all public money and God knows the DF can do with every penny atm.
In relation to the GIV sale I stand over everything I said - the AC were not involved in the decision to sell the jet or the subsequent negotiations and it's loss is significant in terms of AC & DF capabilities, not only in terms of VIP transport. This leads me to the opinion that the Dept couldn't wait to sell the jet for reasons other than that aircraft servicing costs money and recouping some costs was not a significant consideration. It is entirely consistent IMHO with their agenda to run down the AC and the wider DF in the long-term. Not surprisingly really that DCOS Ops has decided to call it a day !
In relation to the GIV sale I stand over everything I said - the AC were not involved in the decision to sell the jet or the subsequent negotiations and it's loss is significant in terms of AC & DF capabilities, not only in terms of VIP transport. This leads me to the opinion that the Dept couldn't wait to sell the jet for reasons other than that aircraft servicing costs money and recouping some costs was not a significant consideration. It is entirely consistent IMHO with their agenda to run down the AC and the wider DF in the long-term. Not surprisingly really that DCOS Ops has decided to call it a day !
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