Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Defence the cost of the recent refurbishment of the Gulfstream Government jet; the nature of the work undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42762/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Gulfstream IV entered MATS service in 1991 and has accumulated an average of 660 flying hours a year since then. It is maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's recommended overhaul and maintenance cycle. This is a practice common to all Air Corps aircraft, both fixed wing and rotary wing. Requisite inspections and checks are carried out at various specified intervals, depending on the flying hours accumulated, as set out in the Air Corps approved maintenance programme for the aircraft, which incorporates all of the manufacturer's recommended maintenance activities. In addition to the maintenance procedures carried out by Air Corps technical personnel at Baldonnel, the Gulfstream IV undergoes a full annual maintenance inspection at Gulfstream's maintenance facility in the United States.

The Gulfstream IV commenced its 2008 annual scheduled maintenance inspection and service in the United States in mid-July. The 2008 maintenance requirement was quite extensive in that the airframe was due its 72-month inspection, the undercarriage was due a 9,000 landings check and the cabin management system was due major mandatory modifications. The aircraft also underwent water pipe work reconditioning and an extensive inspection of the interior. Essential repairs to the interior which had not been renovated since the aircraft was first acquired 17 years ago were also undertaken. The extent of this work led to increased downtime of the Gulfstream IV which returned to operational service earlier this month. The total cost of this maintenance is approximately €1.8 million. In regard to the interior refurbishment, the work included the recovering of the cabin seats; restoration work on the seat-belts; the replacement of carpets; and refinishing of cabin ledges, console tables and the conference table which had become damaged and worn during the years. The cost of this aspect of the maintenance programme is approximately €426,000. I have been informed that Gulfstream IV interiors are normally replaced every five to seven years and that this interior work was long overdue.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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I understand the number of hours flown by the Gulfstream IV is higher than for similar jets. The former Taoiseach once stated there was not an aircraft in the world, including the Third World, that had flown for as many hours as the Gulfstream. Was any major fault detected when the maintenance work was carried out this year? I know there were replacements and that there is a certain level of maintenance which is due in cycles of months, years and so on, but did anything else of importance show up and, if so, what was it?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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It is important I clarify the situation for the benefit of the House. The immediate answer to the Deputy is that no major fault showed up, to the best of my knowledge. However, as the Deputy may be aware, there was an incident relating to the Government jet on its return from Tbilisi last week. While the aircraft was on the runway, one of the warning lights indicated an hydraulic fault. As the aircraft had not taken off, the aircrew immediately telephoned the Gulfstream company in the United States and took advice on how to proceed and what repairs to carry out. They were so advised, isolated the problem and sorted it out. On the journey home another warning light flashed which indicated there was a problem with the wheel brakes. As a result, the Government jet which was carrying the Minister for Foreign Affairs, among others, and was due to land at Cork Airport diverted to Shannon Airport which has longer runways — if there was a problem with the brakes, the flaps could be used to stop the aeroplane. When the aircraft landed at Shannon Airport, it was found, thankfully, that the brakes were in perfect working order. Therefore, it was obviously a question of a malfunctioning light. The Air Corps has been working on the aircraft since at Baldonnel Aerodrome. I understand it needs a new part for the hydraulics and that this is being fitted. The short answer to the Deputy's question is "No". During the major recent overhaul in the United States, nothing showed up.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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While I am glad there was no accident because of the fault outlined by the Minister, bearing in mind the huge number of hours flown by this aircraft, is it possible the wiring system in general may require examination? It is obviously an electrical fault of some description. One wonders how many other aircraft have this number of flying hours. What data does the manufacturing company have in regard to the lifespan of the components of the aircraft such as the wiring system? At what stage would problems begin to emerge?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I do not know the normal number of flying hours ratcheted up during the lifetime of a jet. However, I know this jet has been put to maximum use. The wiring system and the hydraulics are under examination. I understand a replacement part is needed and that it is being fitted. For the benefit of the House, I repeat that there is routine maintenance of the aircraft in accordance with well established international standards, the regularity of which depends on the number of flying hours clocked up. Therefore, it must be happening regularly at this stage. In addition, there is the overall annual examination which usually happens in the United States during the summer.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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When an aircraft has an uncharted number of flying hours, there are no previous data.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that, as does the Air Corps. I do not know if the Deputy is suggesting we acquire a new Government jet, which would be——

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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I am suggesting it should be rendered as safe as possible.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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That is being done.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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We would not like to lose the Minister.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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It is usual to replace the interior once every five years, or seven years at the most. It has not been replaced since 1991. The cost of a new interior, as publicly announced, is approximately €3.5 million but we have managed to get away with spending €426,000 and still make it look new. We are doing everything possible to save money in the interests of the country.

Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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And to save lives.