David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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133. To ask the Minister for Defence the status of the two Government jets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11619/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On the 27th of July last, the Gulfstream IV aircraft, which had been in service for 23 years, travelled to the Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation facility in Georgia, USA, for its annual maintenance inspection. During this inspection, it became apparent that the servicing and repair of the aircraft would have involved a significantly higher level of investment than was anticipated. Given the number of flying hours achieved and the age of the craft it was decided that the aircraft would be withdrawn from service and would not be returned back to Ireland.

The Department concluded the sale for the aircraft on an as seen basis with a US based company in December 2014. Meanwhile, the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is being provided by the Learjet 45 aircraft.

An inter-Departmental MATS Review Group has been established to examine options for the future provision of a service that will continue to provide the President, members of the Government and accompanying officials with an independent means of international air transport. When the Group has completed its deliberations and made its recommendations, I will bring a Report to Government with recommendations on how best to provide a MATS service into the future.