Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together.

Procedurally, requests for use of this service are made by Ministers' private secretaries to my office and are dealt with, in the first instance, by the staff of my office. Requests are examined by my staff with regard to the need for and purpose of travel, the destination and other logistical details. Any necessary clarification or further information is sought at this point. All screened requests are then submitted to me for consideration and approval, if deemed appropriate. Once approved, all operational matters are settled directly between the office of the relevant Minister and the Department of Defence or the Air Corps.

In 2009, I approved 105 requests for use by Ministers or Ministers of State of Air Corps aircraft. I have considered the requests submitted to me since I became Taoiseach to be appropriate and have approved them. All applications for use of such services are considered in the context of the demands of official duties with due regard to costs and efficiencies.

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