Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 1053: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if his Department has used helicopters for any purpose for each year since 2002 to date in 2008; the reason for such use; the suppliers of the helicopter; the dates and locations visited and distance travelled; the cost of same and persons carried; if quotations were sought for such trips; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12414/08]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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A helicopter was used on 20th December 2007 to view the site of works on the East West interconnector. The location visited was the site of the marine seabed survey in the Irish Sea.

The helicopter carried an official from EirGrid, a photographer, my Press Advisor and me.

The procurement of the helicopter for this occasion was dealt with by EirGrid, a commercial agency under the aegis of my Department. The supplier, cost, and the question of quotations and distance travelled would be a day-to-day operational matter for that agency and I have no function in that regard.