Tighter Rules For Gov Jets: Fine Gael

Fine Gael have proposed a tougher set of standards for use of the Government jet after allegations of misuse surfaced this week.

The Opposition's Transport Spokesman Simon Coveney said the new standards for use of the Government jet would ensure cost-effective and transparent Ministerial travel, if accepted.

"The Government jet is being abused by Ministers. Existing rules in the Cabinet handbook are outdated and have been flouted by Ministers for too long," he said.

This week, Defence Minister Tony Killeen, insisted the use of government jets was "being carefully controlled" and mostly used for detours when meetings have run late into the night or ministers' schedules are tight.

The Government currently operated under strict rules governing the use of the Gulfstream and Learjet planes requiring ministers to first seek permission from the Taoiseach's office and outline the purpose and details of their trips.

However, controversy has escalated over the increasing number of Ministers not departing or landing at the Air Corps' landing base at Baldonnel, instead undertaking short detours to airports closer to ministers' constituencies boosting the taxpayers' bill by as much as €2,000 per trip.

This morning, Simon Coveney said it was time for new rules to ensure accountability and transparency for Ministerial travel.

The Fine Gael spokesman said that between 2006 and 2009, €10 million was spent on Ministerial travel, as well as €2.25 million in maintenance costs for the two State jets. Mr Coveney said that some €140,000 was spent on aircraft catering costs from 2007 and 2008.

"In 2009, the Taoiseach approved 105 requests for Cabinet or junior Ministers of State to use Air Corps aircraft. Yet this week, Defence Minister Tony Killeen said the jets were actually used 126 times. All of these requests and associated costs should now be available publicly," he said.

He added: "Government Ministers are taking the taxpayer for a ride: Transport Minister Noel Dempsey recently took the Government jet to Donegal for a speaking engagement at a cost of €13,000 to the taxpayer."

Fine Gael have proposed that cheaper commercial alternatives must be taken where possible and appropriate, that a Minister’s Department should always pay for the flight costs of a Minister, and for all journeys and their costs to be placed in the Oireachtas library on a monthly basis.

(DW/KMcA)