Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Defence the total cost of foreign travel, including flights, accommodation, food, subsistence, travel and other incidental costs, incurred by the Minister and Ministers of State at his Department in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009 [36391/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the total cost of foreign travel is as follows:

Both the Minister of State at my Department and I availed of the Ministerial Air Transport Service for foreign travel during the period in question. The amount of flying time involved was as follows:

With regard to cost of travel, 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:

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 224: To ask the Minister for Defence the cost of official domestic travel including all transport costs, accommodation, meals and other incidentals incurred by himself and the Ministers of State at his Department in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36561/09]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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With the exception of use of the Ministerial Air Transport Service there were no costs incurred by me or by Ministers of State at my Department in 2007, 2008 or to date in 2009. I availed of the Ministerial Air Transport Service for domestic travel during the period in question. The amount of flying time involved was as follows:

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