Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Ceann Comhairle was in it in his days as a Minister. The Gulfstream was out of commission for several months last year, due to essential maintenance and refurbishment that cost €1.8 million in the US. Three weeks after that it had to have further treatment and maintenance because of technical difficulties. What was the cost of the second operation on the Gulfstream? The cost of scheduled maintenance for the jet in 2009 is €2 million. It appears that a jet that is 17 years old costs more to maintain than when it is flying its passengers. Has the Taoiseach considered disposing of the craft if it is more feasible for Ministers to fly commercial airlines? We will not have the Presidency of the European Union for a number of years. The requirements of Ministers in these straightened economic times might be more feasible if they flew by commercial flights. Has the Taoiseach considered this?

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