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  • New Government Jets...

    I know there is another thread,but this deserves a thread all to itself..
    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.
    From RTE http://wwa.rte.ie/news/2003/0225/jet.html
    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.
    see it here
    Last edited by Goldie fish; 26 February 2003, 00:25.


    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

  • #2
    MATS par excellence

    (pity about our intercept capability)

    From IOL News

    "Government to purchase new jet
    25/02/2003 - 19:03:00

    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."




    I see Biztravel are tipping the A319 derivative Airbus Executive Jet, so its either that or a 737-800 Berties Blow Job + a little something for herself (An Tanaiste). The lads in Maritime Patrol will be grateful to get their other Casa back.

    The fact that they are buying and not leasing a smaller second plane, is a bit out of the blue. They must have persuaded the opposition that the embarrassment factor was getting too much for the country, and that they should spend the dough.

    Maybe while the cheque book is out, they can buy 8 leather flying caps and 8 Luger sidearms to match the modded up Meschirrschmidts that will constitute our primary Armed Air capability!!

    Comment


    • #3
      Decision on new jet sparks uproar
      Irish Independent 26/02/2003

      -------------------------------------------


      THE Government came under fierce Opposition attack last night after announcing it will buy a new, larger jet while keeping the troublesome Gulfstream plane for Ireland's EU Presidency next year.


      It is also to go ahead with the purchase of a new seven to nine-seater plane to replace the current four-seater Beechcraft.


      The Opposition claimed the "three-plane Government fleet" showed the Coalition had "lost touch with reality" at a time of cutbacks in other areas.


      While no official figures were available last night after the Cabinet decision, it is understood the outlay on the new jet alone will be up to €70m.


      It had been widely expected that the Government would trade in the Gulfstream GIV which has clocked up close to 8,000 flying hours since being first leased by the Government 12 years ago.


      With the final payment on this having been made in 2001, the total cost of the jet to the Exchequer amounted to €44m.


      It has a flying range of 4,000 miles but the aim is to have a range of around 6,000 miles on the new jet which would have a significantly-enhanced passenger capacity.


      That would allow it to carry more Government officials who often have to use scheduled flights at present to get to EU and other international meetings.


      The Gulfstream can carry 18 passengers on flights to Britain and Europe but is restricted to 14 for Transatlantic flights.


      The Government now plans to keep the Gulfstream in service for the duration of Ireland's six-month Presidency beginning in January.


      It will then sell off the jet which has been affected by rust on its tail and has been increasingly prone to mechanical faults, letting Taoiseach Bertie Ahern himself down twice recently.


      The small Beechcraft plane which the Government is to replace on foot of a decision made two years ago is currently used mainly for domestic and cross-channel trips.


      The decision to expand the Government's fleet comes after a recommendation by an inter-departmental working group which has examined the options over the past three weeks.


      The steering group for the project will work closely with the National Development Finance Agency on the options for funding the new jet.


      It is understood one of the decisions yet to be taken is whether the new jet will be leased in the same way as the GIV or bought outright.


      Labour's Transport spokeswoman Roisin Shortall said the Government's decision to buy "a small fleet" of new aircraft reflected a perverse sense of priorities on the part of Fianna Fail and the PDs.



      Gene McKenna and Alison O'Connor

      Comment


      • #4
        A total joke, that's all i want to say.

        Comment


        • #5
          The probable contendors..

          Boeing BBJ (737)

          Airbus A319CJ

          Bombardier Global 5000 / Express

          Decisions, decisions.......

          Comment


          • #6
            Guys, I can hardly contain my anger : when I heard this decision has been made to spend up to €100 million on a new jet. I couldn't believe that Bertie would have the cheek to actually go ahead with this purchase

            (What they should do is lease a small jet to SUPPLEMENT the Gulfstream for the period of our EU presidency - And thats it !)

            We are too soft in this country - we need to kick up stink about this - enough is enough !!!

            I for one am not going to let this decision just pass by.
            We need to do something - letters of protest - email to govt departments - to show our level of anger at this decision.
            (Defence Force members could have family or friends do this - inform them that the GIV has only 8500 hrs on it and is perfectly servicable for another 10 yrs or more !)

            It has been suggested that a march of protest may be called - I WOULD BE THERE WITH BELLS ON !

            This government is taking us for a ride. They are giving us the two fingers. We are being hit with increases in all directions, TV licences, ESB bills, Car tax, the list just goes on and on.......but our wages are not being increased at the same rate !

            And yet they have the cheek to want to spend OUR MONEY on a new jet.
            Irish people seem to forget that this is OUR MONEY that they are spending - OUR MONEY
            IRISH AIR CORPS - Serving the Nation.

            Comment


            • #7
              In fairness, I think they do need a jet slightly larger than the GIV. And if the GIV's already paid off, right now it's just maintenance costs. Which apparently are high, so if they're planning on selling it off after the presidency, I don't see the issue. And the Beech is simply old and in need of replacement.

              My issue isn't with the money spent. I think it needs to be spent. It's with the difference in philosophy behind pushing the MATS purchase, and the SAR purchase. Both should be pursued with the same vigour.

              NTM
              Driver, tracks, troops.... Drive and adjust!!

              Comment


              • #8
                Well in fairness, California Tanker, you are not living here in Ireland listening to government ministers on TV telling us day-in day-out to accept more and more cutbacks.

                Only tonight, on RTE news, the minister for health has said that hospitals will have to accept more cutbacks.
                They have been told to "live within their means" - It would be funny if only it wasn't so serious !

                Beaumont Hospital has been told it will have to cut back on it's spending, including the night time kidney dialaysis shift.
                70 PEOPLE depend on this night time service and a consultant said that they would die within 7 - 10 days without this treatment.


                NOW TELL THOSE PEOPLE THAT WE NEED A BIGGER GOVT JET !!!!!!
                IRISH AIR CORPS - Serving the Nation.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Why don't we just shoot all the goldbrick bureaucrats and give their organs to the deserving poor....then we can start on the builders
                  "It is a general popular error to imagine that loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for it's welfare" Edmund Burke

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Those people who are going to be affected by the health cut backs will die within 7-10 days (kidney dialysis) and dont care about a BBJ and GIV`s as long as they get their treatment. People will die that is a fact. and bertie and his gang dont care. This a sad day that the government does care about its own people dying.
                    If Bertie wants to arrive in style then he should lease an Aerlingus plane for the day. Im sure the cash strapped airline would say nothing.
                    If he is will to spend so much on his high flying perks he should give to money to the AC for medium lift heli`s and utility heli`s. and froget his pecks and keep the Health Service up to scratch.
                    This is gone beyond a joke.
                    Only the dead have seen the end of war - Plato

                    "Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory" Proverbs 11-14
                    http://munsterfireandrescue.com

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      While politician bashing is great sport, perhaps I can inject an element of realism?

                      For any sort of regular use, the cheapest option is to buy a jet. Leasing works out more expensive in the long run. Hiring commercial transport is more expensive again. Scheduled operators simply can't provide the level of flexibility or security required.

                      The fact is that the government needs to have flexible transport available to do it's job. Whether the GIV needs replacing or not is another question. However, I'm no expert, as is the case with most of the other contributors here, so I don't feel qualified to speculate.

                      One fact neglected though, is that all aircraft have downtime. A brand new aircraft is also bound to go U/S at inconventient moments at some stage. With only one aircraft available, new or old, Being stuck on the ground will still happen sometimes.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Quite Right YJ, Maybe Bertie Should Ask Ben Dunne to buy him a Spare Jet (After all CJ got an Island.) The M Sqdn Would be glad of their Casa Back now that a frieghter has been Booked for the Tanaiste. The Fact is The AC has been neglected for far too Long. How Much are the Pilatus' Costing us?? nobody batted an Eyelid when they were Bought, Next Priority is when the GIV is sold to put that money straight back into a New SAR bird. Before the Public staryt boycotting every expensive Aircraft the AC Buy.

                        Friends Come and Go, but Enemies accumulate!!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Cost of the 8 Pilatus aircraft + ground based training system + logistic support = €48million.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Maybe we should all emigrate together............WAAAAAAAAAAhhhhheeeeyyyyyy
                            (We'll get out just before the trots take over and make us bow to their superior equality)
                            "It is a general popular error to imagine that loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for it's welfare" Edmund Burke

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Well the comparisons with hospital cuts etc don't really hold. This jet's bought out of the defence budget. health gets its own allocation. So it's not really being taken from health of anything else. Plus, giving health another €60 would see it disappear within half an hour. At least these jets will be around for a while.

                              However, I have to say medium lift heliopters and light combat aircraft would be higher on my list of priorities.

                              That said, the arrival of a full squadron for MATS, plus he PC9ms, plus Smith saying a new tender for helis is due, means at least the Irish Air Corps is in much better shape than previous.

                              The don will at least have some pretty impressive aircraft on the ramp in the form of a BBJ or something, plush shiny new PC9ms, even if there aren't going to be kick ass warplanes to join them. But with the way things are going who knows what could be next.

                              On the whole good news.:-patriot:

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