Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)
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Question 159: To ask the Minister for Defence the cost and frequency of travel per month since the beginning of the new Government by him and his Ministers of State by means of bus, rail or air transport; the Minister involved in the travel in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29042/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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During the period from 14 June 2007 to date, I availed of the Ministerial Air Transport Service for official travel as follows:

During the same period, Minister of State, Deputy Tom Kitt availed of the MATS service for official travel as follows:

With regard to cost, the Department of Defence follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the cost per flying hour under either of two headings: (a) The direct cost, i.e. the costs which are additional to those associated with having the aircraft and which only arise when the aircraft is flown including maintenance, fuel and support services; and (b) The total cost, i.e. the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft, i.e. depreciation and personnel costs

The costs associated with Air Corps aircraft used in provision of Ministerial Air Transport Service are as follows: