Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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938. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form details of the usage of the Government jet from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012, to include the Minister, the country visited, the event attended, and the cost to the State of each journey. [34487/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is primarily provided by the Gulfstream IV and Learjet 45 aircraft, which were specifically acquired for that purpose. The details sought by the Deputy are as set out in the Tabular Statement below. The purpose of each trip is a matter for the individual Department and is not included in the details held by my Department.

Learjet 2012

In relation to costs, my Department follows the normal practice in the aviation business of costing aircraft by reference to the average cost per flying hour under each of two headings as set out below:

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; and

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

For clarity, an additional column has been included in the table below showing the cost associated with having the aircraft regardless of whether it is flown.

These costs are currently being reviewed by my Department and revised figures will be published shortly.

The Programme for Government contained a commitment to introducing a new code of practice for the use of the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS), ensuring transparent and cost effective travel. In line with this commitment, information relating to the MATS is now published on my Department’s website and this information is updated on a monthly basis.