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Has bertie lost the plot? Replace the Lear because it has no toilet? Ditch the Kingair because they have a tendancy to go on fire? Don't use the casa because its too noisy?
Where do I line up to kick him up the ass?
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
5. Deputy Enda Kenny asked the Taoiseach the procedures in place in his Department in respect of the use of the Government jets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3558/08]
6. Deputy Eamon Gilmore asked the Taoiseach the guidelines operated by his Department in regard to requests for use of the Air Corps aircraft for ministerial or official travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4656/08]
7. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the role of his Department with regard to determining the use of Government aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4982/08]
The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together.
The procedures I outlined to the House previously in regard to use of the ministerial air transport service, MATS, most recently on 6 March 2007, have not changed. The position is that my approval is required prior to the service being used. Procedurally, requests for use of the 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 and other logistical details. Any necessary clarification or further information is sought at this point. All 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, normally, the Air Corps.
Deputy Enda Kenny: What transport is available? Is it one jet or two? Are the Beechcraft still available? I was in one a few times, which was an experience. What is the priority rating? Are there occasions when former Taoisigh can use the transport?
The Taoiseach: We recommended it.
Deputy Willie O’Dea: We will see what we can do.
Deputy Enda Kenny: I was interested in the way the costings are computed. When the late Pope John Paul II died, the Vatican requested State participation and I had the honour of travelling to attend that funeral on the Government jet with a number of others and in the presence of the Taoiseach. I was astounded to read a few weeks later that I had cost the State €11,000 to travel as a passenger on the Government jet. How are these costs calculated? If the Minister, Deputy O’Dea, flies to Chad, is that done according to a pecking order or can he say “I need to get out there to see my troops and see that they are properly equipped.” What is the situation with regard to the would-be commander-in-chief of the Defence Forces being able to use Government transport to get out there to see how our troops are doing?
Deputy Joan Burton: The programme for Government states that it will “require carbon offsetting of all official air travel in support of urban forests”. This is probably the Taoiseach’s last or second last day to take Questions. I wondered what an urban forest was but then I read in the newspapers this morning of a proposal for the Carlton cinema site with gardens and parks at roof level. Is this one of the Taoiseach’s last legacies that, as part of the programme for Government, we will have an urban forest atop a 20 or 30-storey building in O’Connell Street? An urban forest is referred to in the programme for Government as a way of carbon offsetting and I wonder what it is.
Deputy Enda Kenny: I thought that was Gorse Hill.
Deputy Joan Burton: Today’s edition of The Irish Times stated that a rooftop forest is included in the planning application for the new Carlton site. Has the Taoiseach worked this out?
An Ceann Comhairle: I doubt the Government jet will be taking off from it. I call Deputy Ó Caoláin.
Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: I will keep it simple. Given that the Taoiseach has proven the old Irish piseog to be false that lightning never strikes twice in the one place, has he any alternative intentions of making his way to Washington?
Deputy Enda Kenny: Perhaps on the Queen Mary.
The Taoiseach: In reply to Deputy Kenny on what aircraft are available, the Gulfstream IV jet is still in operation. That was acquired in 1991 and all of my colleagues know my views on it. The aircraft is 16 years old and has flown more than 11,000 hours. I am told there is not an aircraft in the world, or the Third World, that has flown that number of hours.
Deputy P. J. Sheehan: Is it a bundle of scrap?
Deputy Dick Roche: We cannot sell it for scrap.
The Taoiseach: My colleagues know what I believe is the alternative to it but I do not think it is a great idea for it to go on and on.
The Learjet, which we bought at the beginning of the Presidency in 2004, was a replacement for the Beechcraft Kingair and provides a service for short and medium haul flights. It has proven extremely reliable and has been used on the European missions. It has its faults because one cannot stand up-----
Deputy Dick Roche: Even I cannot stand up in it.
The Taoiseach: -----and it does not have a toilet but it gets from A to B for which I have been very grateful many times.
Following two minor fires I do not believe the Beechcraft has been used much in recent times.
Deputy Phil Hogan: That is not too bad.
The Taoiseach: The CASA is used now and again and if one has earmuffs on that is very useful, but the aircraft are all very useful. The one aspect of them that is perfect is the staff. I thank all of the staff who fly them all. As to whether they could be improved, that would be a good idea for the next Taoiseach.
Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: How is the Taoiseach travelling to Brussels? Is it with Ryanair?
Has bertie lost the plot? Replace the Lear because it has no toilet? Ditch the Kingair because they have a tendancy to go on fire? Don't use the casa because its too noisy?
He didn't say any of that?
My only problem would be the assertion that there's not a plane in the world with more hours on it than the G-IV
Also Burton did a wonderful job of getting Ahern out of answering a pertinent question RE: how the Gulfstream can be utilised by the Army. What a clown.
Bertie was misinformed about the age of aircraft, or chose to misunderstand his briefing. For example, this USAF RC-135W Rivet Joint aircraft entered service in 1962 and on March 12th last it clocked up its 50,000th flying hour during a mission over Afghanistan.
He seems to have forgotten that
(a) the casa was not bought to serve as his personal transport. Its recent upgrade did not include extra luxury furnishings for ministers.
(b) when he decided they needed a second government jet, he should have specified a toilet. Even the Defender has a toilet.
(c) The Kingair entered service when he still had a wife, a bank account, an anorak and black hair.
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
When he referred to hours flown, i think he meant that no other G-IV has accumulated as many hours, though he could be wrong there also?
How does he know? Maybe he overheard one of the crew mentioning how the aircraft had more hours than any other Air Corps aircraft, and assumed they meant every aircraft ever....
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
How does he know? Maybe he overheard one of the crew mentioning how the aircraft had more hours than any other Air Corps aircraft, and assumed they meant every aircraft ever....
Maybe he made it up?
If we believed everything he said, he'd still have his job.
Concerns were subsequently raised that inspectors might not be willing to certify the aircraft as fit for flight, until the existing cabin was refitted.
Would an aircraft really be grounded if for not having a plush interior!?
It would if the interior was shabby. To carry passengers, they can be quite strict with certification(as they found out with those rented Helis). Keep in mind that this interior was fitted out by the instructions of the Boss himself, who is no longer with us. Thats 5 Taoiseach ago, by my calculations.
All the internal fittings have an impact on how the aircraft will preform, in the event of an emergency. Some to a greater extent than others. The fact that its a special order too may further impact this.
I'm sure the spanner swingers of the Air Corps here will have a better idea of what the G4 is made of.
Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.
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