Written answers
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Garda Equipment
5:00 pm
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 12: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he is satisfied that correct procedures were followed when a 13 year old Eurocopter AS355N helicopter was sold by the Garda SÃochána to a private company for â¬400,000 in January 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13135/10]
Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The management and disposal of Garda resources, including Garda aircraft, is a matter for the Garda Commissioner.
I am advised by the Commissioner that the sale of the AS355N Squirrel helicopter was undertaken in line with the relevant financial requirements and following the advertising of the helicopter for sale. The process which was pursued by the Commissioner was not restricted in any way and it was open to interested parties to bid for the aircraft.
I might mention that the Commissioner has informed me that only two bids were received for the helicopter. The higher bid was originally for â¬365,000 and it was subsequently negotiated upwards to â¬400,000.
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