Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

I note that in 1998, for example, Government aircraft flew 261 missions, while last year they flew 191 missions. To date in 2009, which is almost at an end, there have been just 100 missions. The fact that demand is falling makes one wonder whether there is a need for two Government jets in this time of financial difficulty, on which the Minister so often lectures us even when answering questions on defence matters. Has the Government conducted any review in the past year, under the direction of the Taoiseach, of the use of the Government jets? There must be a direction from somewhere because the missions have been reduced. Ministers are not using them to the extent that they did at one stage. There is obviously no policy to sell off one of the jets but is there one to reduce their use? Are Ministers obliged, or advised, to use scheduled flights?

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