Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am sure the Taoiseach, Deputy Cowen, has views on this although he might not wish to express them in the Chamber. I have asked the question but it appears he does not wish to answer it.

The Cabinet handbook 2007 states that applications for the use of ministerial air transport should be submitted to the Taoiseach in respect of every mission, to include destination, route, timing, passenger details and purpose of travel. The justifying need to use the service should be set out in every application and the relative cost of ministerial air transport to possible alternatives should always be borne in mind in preparing travel plans. The relative cost of ministerial air transport services to possible alternatives should be always borne in mind in preparing travel plans. I note that the Minister for Transport travelled to Glenties during the summer and part of that journey was made in the Government jet. Does the Taoiseach recall getting a request from the Minister for Transport for that? Given that he travelled by jet meant the PSNI had to be put on security notice, a garda driver had to go ahead of the Minister and the cost involved was around €100,000.

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