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15/04/2009
Government Travel Budget Goes Sky High
New figures have revealed Government ministers have spent more than €1.6m using Air Corps helicopters and aircraft since last October's Budget.
Figures released to RTÉ under the Freedom of Information Act show that 25 of the 83 journeys taken were to and from destinations on the island.
The Government's several fixed wing planes, including a Lear Jet, and two helicopters were used extensively by Government ministers, costing from €7,890 an hour for the Government jet to €1,590 for the smaller of the helicopters.
70 of the trips were taken using the Government jet and three other fixed-wing aircraft, the other 13 were in Air Corps helicopters.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin racked up the most air miles with 24 journeys, followed by Taoiseach Brian Cowen who made 16.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Mary Coughlan took 11 flights, as did Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith, while Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern took eight.
Minister Coughlan and Minister Martin each account for five of those flights, while Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and Minister Ahern both used the helicopter three times.
Minister for Health Mary Harney twice took the Learjet on domestic flights.
(DW/BMcC)
Figures released to RTÉ under the Freedom of Information Act show that 25 of the 83 journeys taken were to and from destinations on the island.
The Government's several fixed wing planes, including a Lear Jet, and two helicopters were used extensively by Government ministers, costing from €7,890 an hour for the Government jet to €1,590 for the smaller of the helicopters.
70 of the trips were taken using the Government jet and three other fixed-wing aircraft, the other 13 were in Air Corps helicopters.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin racked up the most air miles with 24 journeys, followed by Taoiseach Brian Cowen who made 16.
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment Mary Coughlan took 11 flights, as did Minister for Agriculture Brendan Smith, while Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern took eight.
Minister Coughlan and Minister Martin each account for five of those flights, while Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey and Minister Ahern both used the helicopter three times.
Minister for Health Mary Harney twice took the Learjet on domestic flights.
(DW/BMcC)
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