Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Defence if Air Corps helicopters are used for ministerial transport; the circumstances under which such travel is approved; the person by whom it is approved; the guidelines or policies that regulate such use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36352/09]

Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of times in the past five years that Air Corps helicopters have been used for ministerial or related transport; the name of the Minister in each case; the reason for the use in each case; the cost to the taxpayer of each such use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36357/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.

The Air Corps helicopter fleet comprises two light utility EC135 helicopters and six utility AW139 helicopters. The Dauphin helicopters were withdrawn from Air Corps service in January 2006, and the Alouette fleet was withdrawn in September 2007. The helicopters are operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role. Primary taskings include security, aid to the civil power, military exercises, infantry interoperability training and limited troop transport. They are also used to perform air ambulance, non-maritime search and rescue, aid to the civil authorities, community support and ministerial and VIP air transport tasks.

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. In 2008, ministerial transport represented approximately 5% of total helicopter flying hours.

Approval for the use of Air Corps helicopters for ministerial transport is a matter for the Taoiseach, providing the helicopters are available and have not been otherwise tasked in their military role. Guidelines regarding the use of the Ministerial Air Transport Service are set out in the Cabinet Handbook. The guidelines specify that requests for the use of the service should be made to the Taoiseach in respect of every mission, giving details of the justifying need, the destination, route, timings, passenger details and purpose of travel.

Details regarding the number of times Air Corps helicopters have been used for ministerial or related transport in the past five years are listed in the following tabular statements, including the date of each trip, the helicopter type tasked, the ministerial time on board and the requesting Minister. Each trip was in the conduct of official engagements and had the prior approval of the Taoiseach.

I have availed of Air Corps helicopters for transport in connection with my ministerial duties, most recently in November 2008. With regard to the 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: 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 the total cost, i.e. the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft, i.e. depreciation and personnel costs.

The Deputy should note that the costs associated with having the aircraft, which are costs arising for having aircraft available for their primary taskings in their military operational and training roles, arise regardless of whether or not the aircraft is tasked with ministerial transport. The current rates per hour used to establish these costs in relation to helicopters are also set out in the following tabular statements. The costs are an approximation to actual costs.

Ministerial use of Air Corps helicopters

Costs associated with Air Corps helicopters used in the provision of Ministerial Air Transport Service