Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Taoiseach for clarifying that the Government jet moves on his authorisation. Will he clarify the position with regard to what happened on Sunday, 3 February 2008, when the Government jet was in the United States as a result of a visit there by the Minister for Health and Children? On that date the Minister and her husband had a private day, to which both are entitled. The Minister attended the Super Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona, that evening and stayed in the city of Prescott, which is approximately 100 miles from Phoenix. For some inexplicable reason - perhaps there is a reason - the Government jet flew from Phoenix to Las Vegas, Nevada, and remained there overnight. We are informed that no one other than Air Corps personnel were on board at the time. On the following day, the jet flew back to Phoenix to collect the Minister and her party. I understand a case was put forward that this was due to meteorological conditions. Yet a map indicates that Tucson, Arizona and San Diego, California are closer than or as close as Las Vegas. If a request for movement of the Government jet comes before the staff of the Taoiseach's office and clarification must be sought by him, can the Taoiseach explain the reason the Government jet flew from Phoenix, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada and stayed overnight if there were no personnel on board?

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