Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 5: To ask the Taoiseach the procedures in place in his Department in respect of the use of the Government jets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3558/08]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 6: To ask the Taoiseach the guidelines operated by his Department in regard to requests for use of the Air Corps aircraft for ministerial or official travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4656/08]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 7: To ask the Taoiseach the role of his Department with regard to determining the use of Government aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4982/08]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 5 to 7, inclusive, together.

The procedures I outlined to the House previously in regard to use of the ministerial air transport service, MATS, most recently on 6 March 2007, have not changed. The position is that my approval is required prior to the service being used. Procedurally, requests for use of the 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 my consideration and approval, if deemed appropriate. Once approved, all operational matters are settled directly between the office of the Minister in question and the Department of Defence or, normally, the Air Corps.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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What transport is available? Is it one jet or two? Are the Beechcraft still available? I was in one a few times, which was an experience. What is the priority rating? Are there occasions when former Taoisigh can use the transport?

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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We recommended it.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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We will see what we can do.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I was interested in the way the costings are computed. When the late Pope John Paul II died, the Vatican requested State participation and I had the honour of travelling to attend that funeral on the Government jet with a number of others and in the presence of the Taoiseach. I was astounded to read a few weeks later that I had cost the State €11,000 to travel as a passenger on the Government jet. How are these costs calculated? If the Minister, Deputy O'Dea, flies to Chad, is that done according to a pecking order or can he say "I need to get out there to see my troops and see that they are properly equipped." What is the situation with regard to the would-be commander-in-chief of the Defence Forces being able to use Government transport to get out there to see how our troops are doing?

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The programme for Government states that it will "require carbon offsetting of all official air travel in support of urban forests". This is probably the Taoiseach's last or second last day to take Questions. I wondered what an urban forest was but then I read in the newspapers this morning of a proposal for the Carlton cinema site with gardens and parks at roof level. Is this one of the Taoiseach's last legacies that, as part of the programme for Government, we will have an urban forest atop a 20 or 30-storey building in O'Connell Street? An urban forest is referred to in the programme for Government as a way of carbon offsetting and I wonder what it is.

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I thought that was Gorse Hill.

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Today's edition of The Irish Times stated that a rooftop forest is included in the planning application for the new Carlton site. Has the Taoiseach worked this out?

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Ceann Comhairle)
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I doubt the Government jet will be taking off from it. I call Deputy Ó Caoláin.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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I will keep it simple. Given that the Taoiseach has proven the old Irish piseog to be false that lightning never strikes twice in the one place, has he any alternative intentions of making his way to Washington?

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Perhaps on the Queen Mary.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In reply to Deputy Kenny on what aircraft are available, the Gulfstream IV jet is still in operation. That was acquired in 1991 and all of my colleagues know my views on it. The aircraft is 16 years old and has flown more than 11,000 hours. I am told there is not an aircraft in the world, or the Third World, that has flown that number of hours.

P J Sheehan (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Is it a bundle of scrap?

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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We cannot sell it for scrap.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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My colleagues know what I believe is the alternative to it but I do not think it is a great idea for it to go on and on.

The Learjet, which we bought at the beginning of the Presidency in 2004, was a replacement for the Beechcraft Kingair and provides a service for short and medium haul flights. It has proven extremely reliable and has been used on the European missions. It has its faults because one cannot stand up——

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Even I cannot stand up in it.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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——and it does not have a toilet but it gets from A to B for which I have been very grateful many times.

Following two minor fires I do not believe the Beechcraft has been used much in recent times.

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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That is not too bad.

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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The CASA is used now and again and if one has earmuffs on that is very useful, but the aircraft are all very useful. The one aspect of them that is perfect is the staff. I thank all of the staff who fly them all. As to whether they could be improved, that would be a good idea for the next Taoiseach.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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How is the Taoiseach travelling to Brussels? Is it with Ryanair?