Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

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?

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