I know there is another thread,but this deserves a thread all to itself..
From the Examiner..
From RTE http://wwa.rte.ie/news/2003/0225/jet.html
see it here
From the Examiner..
Government to purchase new jet
25/02/2003 - 7:03:00 pm
The Government has confirmed it is to purchase a new jet to replace the current plane, which has been giving frequent trouble in recent times.
The Government has been given the go-ahead to purchase a larger jet, which is to be delivered before next January, when Ireland takes over the EU Presidency.
The government will hold on to it's existing jet for the duration of the EU Presidency. A smaller aircraft, seating 7-9 persons will also be purchased giving the government three planes in total for the first six months of next year.
The cost of the new aircraft have not been released.
25/02/2003 - 7:03:00 pm
The Government has confirmed it is to purchase a new jet to replace the current plane, which has been giving frequent trouble in recent times.
The Government has been given the go-ahead to purchase a larger jet, which is to be delivered before next January, when Ireland takes over the EU Presidency.
The government will hold on to it's existing jet for the duration of the EU Presidency. A smaller aircraft, seating 7-9 persons will also be purchased giving the government three planes in total for the first six months of next year.
The cost of the new aircraft have not been released.
Cabinet backs purchase of new Government jet
February 25, 2003
(21:04) The Government has agreed to purchase a new, larger Government jet.
At today's Cabinet meeting, it was also agreed to keep the current Gulfstream IV jet until the end of the EU Presidency.
The purchase of a third, smaller jet, agreed in 2001, is also to proceed.
The current Government jet, the 14 seat Gulfstream IV, has suffered a series of embarrassing breakdowns in recent months.
Last year, the Taoiseach missed a meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan when it broke down in Washington.
Just last month, the Taoiseach's departure from an official visit to Mexico was delayed due to another breakdown, while a few weeks ago an air-taxi had to be hired at short notice to take him to Lisbon after yet another technical problem.
Today, the Cabinet decided that a new, larger jet should be bought, which would hopefully come into service before the start of Ireland's EU Presidency next January.
The existing Gulfstream will be retained until the end of the six-month Presidency, when efforts will be made to sell it.
A steering group representing the Departments of Defence, Finance and the Taoiseach is to work with the National Development Finance Agency to procure the new plane.
Any tender would have to be advertised in the EU official journal, a process which takes up to two months.
The Government could also end up with a third jet, thanks to a decision two years ago to buy a replacement for the existing 9-seater Beechcraft aircraft.
Nothing has been done about that decision since, but it is likely that tenders for the two aircraft will proceed at the same time.
Labour criticises Government's 'priorities'
The Labour Party has said the Government decision reflects a 'perverse sense of priorities'.
Labour's Transport spokesperson Roisín Shortall said it was extraordinary that the Government could find the money for a new jet when the public are being asked to accept a seemingly endless round of cutbacks and increases in the cost of public services.
She asked what was more important, the comfort and convenience of the leaders of Government or the chronic needs of those with disabilities.
February 25, 2003
(21:04) The Government has agreed to purchase a new, larger Government jet.
At today's Cabinet meeting, it was also agreed to keep the current Gulfstream IV jet until the end of the EU Presidency.
The purchase of a third, smaller jet, agreed in 2001, is also to proceed.
The current Government jet, the 14 seat Gulfstream IV, has suffered a series of embarrassing breakdowns in recent months.
Last year, the Taoiseach missed a meeting with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan when it broke down in Washington.
Just last month, the Taoiseach's departure from an official visit to Mexico was delayed due to another breakdown, while a few weeks ago an air-taxi had to be hired at short notice to take him to Lisbon after yet another technical problem.
Today, the Cabinet decided that a new, larger jet should be bought, which would hopefully come into service before the start of Ireland's EU Presidency next January.
The existing Gulfstream will be retained until the end of the six-month Presidency, when efforts will be made to sell it.
A steering group representing the Departments of Defence, Finance and the Taoiseach is to work with the National Development Finance Agency to procure the new plane.
Any tender would have to be advertised in the EU official journal, a process which takes up to two months.
The Government could also end up with a third jet, thanks to a decision two years ago to buy a replacement for the existing 9-seater Beechcraft aircraft.
Nothing has been done about that decision since, but it is likely that tenders for the two aircraft will proceed at the same time.
Labour criticises Government's 'priorities'
The Labour Party has said the Government decision reflects a 'perverse sense of priorities'.
Labour's Transport spokesperson Roisín Shortall said it was extraordinary that the Government could find the money for a new jet when the public are being asked to accept a seemingly endless round of cutbacks and increases in the cost of public services.
She asked what was more important, the comfort and convenience of the leaders of Government or the chronic needs of those with disabilities.
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