Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 359: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of times Defence Forces helicopters were used to transport Government Ministers in Ireland for 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular form. [25621/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 360: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of times Defence Forces helicopters were used to transport dignitaries, excluding Government Ministers, in Ireland for 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in tabular form. [25622/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 361: To ask the Minister for Defence the pick-up point and destination, the person or persons carried on board and the cost relating to each of the trips in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in which Defence Forces helicopters were used to transport Government Ministers here in tabular form. [25623/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Defence the use by Government Ministers of the Government jet or other aircraft in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; the person or persons carried, the pick up point and destination and the estimated cost for each journey in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25624/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Defence the estimated cost of flying a helicopter on Government business per hour; and if he will compare this to the comparable charges from commercial companies in tabular form. [25625/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Defence the cost relating to each of the trips in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 in which Defence Forces helicopters were used to transport dignitaries, excluding Government Ministers here, in tabular form. [25626/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Defence the use by dignitaries excluding Government Ministers of the Government jet or other aircraft in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and the estimated cost for each journey in tabular form [25627/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 359 to 365, inclusive, together.

The information the Deputy has requested regarding the use of the Government Jet and Defence Forces helicopters by Government Ministers and dignitaries is set out in the form of tabular statements which I set out below. The tabular statement relating to Government Ministers sets out the dates, destinations and passengers carried on each mission for 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009. The tabular statement relating to dignitaries other than the Government Ministers sets out the number of missions by helicopter and fixed wing aircraft for each of the years requested.

With regard to the cost of each trip, my Department 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:

My Department does not hold any information regarding comparable charges for commercial aviation companies for the above aircraft.