Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
TÁNAISTE MICHEÁL MARTIN has confirmed that he has signed off on the plan to buy a new Government jet.
The Learjet which is used to fly the Taoiseach and other senior ministers is reaching its natural “end of life cycle”, Martin told the Dáil.
“There have been issues with the Learjet no point saying otherwise. There have been serious issues with it.
“I’m not prepared to stand over it. And in my view, a replacement jet is required,” he said.
Last year, The Journal reported that the Government was advised that a replacement plane was needed following a number of technical issues with the Learjet.
The Government jet has suffered technical problems, forcing the Taoiseach at the time to avail of a CASA maritime patrol aircraft to ferry him back from Brussels on one occasion.
The Air Corps Learjet was purchased in 2004 and has been in operation since then. It only has the capacity to fly to the European region and does not travel long-haul.
The Tánaiste, who is also the Minister for Defence, said today that he has now approved a recommendation made by officials to purchase a new jet, indicating that the new plane should be able to travel longer distances.
Government ministers fly on commercial aircraft when traveling to the US, for example.
Ultimately, he said the State needs a replacement aircraft that provides a strategic reach in crisis situations, medical evacuation, as well as ministerial air transport.
Referring to the instance where the Irish Government was scrambling to evacuate people from Afghanistan, Martin said the State was dependent on other governments to help.
He said the plane should be able to get to locations where Irish citizens need to be evacuated quickly.
“That strategic reach is important… the medical transport and medical evacuation is important,” he added.
He said officials will now move to progress to procurement phase, however, this is set to take between two to three years, according to Government sources.
Martin said he believed now was the time to kick off the procurement process, stating that ”future governments” will benefit from the new aircraft, rather than the current government ministers.
It is understood that the Government is looking to purchase a ten-seater aircraft. Leasing an aircraft was ruled out due to it costing the taxpayer more money in the long term, it is believed.
While no cost has been attached yet to the new purchase, sources state smaller aircraft cost around €50 million, so the cost of the new ten-seater plane could exceed this amount.
A project team is currently being established and planning for the procurement competition will commence shortly, said Martin.
The procurement process will consider both new and second-hand replacement aircrafts, added the Tánaiste.
The Government once had two jets, but the Gulfstream IV plane was sold in 2017 for €418,000.
There was controversy at the time over the sale price, given that the jet was valued at somewhere in the region of €750,000. It was bought in 1992 for €45 million.
In addition, the Government has also laid down a deposit on a new cargo aircraft for the Irish Air Corps, which would carry troops and vehicles to foreign military missions and rescue stranded Irish citizens.
“Source: The Journal”
Seriously.
Does the ministry for Irish not speak Irish either, wtf
yet again we see one rule for tds and another for the rest of us. what employer would offer me a job if my cv stated I’d no knowledge of an essential part of the position. do you think the employer would take me on and then pay for me to gain knowledge in the subject. it’s just bonkers. they won’t apply the same rights for everyone else and only last week it’s transpires that a private company has offered to pay for a teacher in the aran islands, no funding for the kids one on one there courtesy of the govt, no that only applies to the pampered few in leinster house.
Hope he’s a quick learner because they don’t have a lot of time left in office.
Poor Joe doesn’t realise Montreal and Nova Scotia are in Canada, good lad!
On the continent of North America….containing Americans… Shocker!!!
For those of you who are perhaps not too happy with Joe McHugh, in particular with his recent decision to stop the vital aeroplane service to The Aran Islands, celebrated Ghaelacht Islands, sign this petition now. If Joe McHugh really cared for the Ghaeltacht, he would’t be getting rid of such a necessary service.
Petition here: https://www.change.org/p/joe-mchugh-enda-kenny-save-the-aran-islands-aeroplane-service/
It’s getting replaced by a helicopter service. Is that not worth mentioning or do we just have to get in a rage about everything?
Helis can operate in rougher weather and the winning bid came in €300,000 lower than the encumbent what’s the problem?
it’s change. they just don’t like change for the sake of it, even though the company operating them are also from Galway and have to provide the same service for the same price to islanders.
Not like the Eircode tender where the winner gave the third placed a juicy contract in UK 2 years after they mysteriously withdrew. And winner will give €23.6 million of the €27 million tender to second place An Post. And even though Loc8 code offered a perfect post code for free…could a tender be any more corrupt?
He was fluent in bull shit long before he was handed his cushy number. Seems to be a prerequisite for being a FG TD though.
The question about being taught by a non native teacher was a bit odd seeing that the vast majority of school kids in Ireland are taught Irish, French, German etc by non native speaker teachers. In fact worldwide more than 80% of language teachers are not native speakers.
Is this lad a mature student or an intern? Seems like an expensive education at our expense. Btw the ersi report shows an increase of 18% in attitude, that’s not the small figure Enda was referring to, would someone ask some pertinent questions please.
A documentary on radio 1 showed how bad mc hugh is at irish, you don’t pick it up in a year. He only lives a few miles from the gaeltacht too.
Good for him. I applaud him learning and showing by example it can easily be done with hard work and determination besides moaning about him not been born into an Irish speaking family.
You learn Irish at school, or you would do if there was any competence around the subject. Handing out the portfolio like a treat has it this way, this lad seems to be on a personal journey, he’s a bloody Minister.
No comment.
another parasite.
“Minister Qualifies”
An educational achievement for Enda the Educator, pyrrhic for Enda the Taoiseach.
Tir gan teanga ……..
Tir gan eolas!
…agus tír gon anam. :(
I’d be surprise if Joe keeps his seat at next election. Donegal is going from 6 seats (2 x 3 seat constuitency) to a 5 seater (with chunk of South Donegal going into new “Sligo–Leitrim” constituency.
The fact that he was given job in first place was probably to rise his profile come the election, same can be said for Heather Humphries whose seat is also probably marginal.
Who gives a f**k, really.. This is not news
Perhaps he could visit the Aran Islands. He mightn’t learn many beannachtaí but would definitely get invaluable experience of mallachtaí, given his ridiculous decision to stop the Air Aran service. As they say McHugh Níl son tóin tinn mar do thóin tinn féin.
*aon*
Bye bye Joe
have your say