Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of hours flown by all aircraft including fixed and rotary wing as part of the ministerial air transport service in 1996 and 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17655/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The Ministerial Air Transport Service is provided by the Air Corps to facilitate members of the Government in fulfilling their official engagements at home and abroad. The Service is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. The Gulfstream IV was acquired in December 1991, and the Learjet 45 entered service in January 2004 as a replacement for the Beechcraft Kingair. Until recently, the Beechcraft continued to be used as a back up aircraft for short and medium haul flights, in addition to its primary pilot training role. The CASA maritime patrol aircraft have been used infrequently for Ministerial Air Transport missions where no MATS aircraft has been available for operational or technical reasons.

Helicopters are used from time to time for ministerial air transport in situations where, for operational reasons, fixed wing aircraft may not be available, the point of destination may not be close to an airport and in circumstances where there is a requirement for greater flexibility than can be delivered by fixed wing aircraft. The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of hours flown on Ministerial Air Transport in 1996 and 2006 is presented in the tabular statement.