Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The ministerial air transport service is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. The Beech Super Kingair 200 turboprop aircraft, which is now used primarily in a training role, is made available for ministerial air transport use from time to time, mainly for internal flights and a limited number of European destinations.

On 21 September 2007, the Gulfstream IV aircraft flew from Dublin to Paris carrying the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, and ten officials from the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs. Neither the Learjet 45 nor the Beech Super Kingair 200 was used by Ministers on that day.

Requests for the use of the service are made by Ministers' private secretaries to the Taoiseach's office where they are examined with regard to the need and purpose of travel. Once approved, all operational matters are settled directly between the Minister in question and my Department. My Department does not hold details concerning the purpose of ministerial air transport trips, which is a matter for individual Ministers.

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