Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Defence the cost incurred by his Department, in respect of this year’s overseas travel programme for St Patrick’s Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16611/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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During the period 9 to 15 March 2013, I visited Lebanon and Israel in a comprehensive St Patrick’s Day programme in the Middle East. I was accompanied on this trip by the Chief of Staff, three officials from my Department and three officers of the Defence Forces. The final costs cannot be confirmed until the final invoices are received in respect of the visit. The costs incurred to date amount to €13,989 and primarily relate to commercial flight costs, accommodation and subsistence expenses and do not include the costs of the Ministerial Air Transport Service which are set below.

The Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D., visited Australia and New Zealand on 7 March - 24 March. Minister Kehoe travelled in his capacity at Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach. He was accompanied by an official from my Department and the cost bourne by my Department in respect of this visit is €1,060.

The Ministerial Air Transport Service provided by the Air Corps was used for the overseas travel programme for St. Patrick’s Day as follows:

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:

- The direct cost which includes 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 such as catering costs, cleaning services and airport handling charges.

- The total cost which is the direct cost plus the costs associated with having the aircraft and includes depreciation and personnel costs.

The average direct cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,270. The average total cost per hour for the Gulfstream is €3,790. These are average costs which take a number of variables into account. It is not possible to assign an exact cost to any particular mission.