State expects delivery of two jets by early October

THE Government expects to have delivery of its two jets by early October, a spokesman for the Department of Defence said yesterday.

He confirmed that May 30 is the deadline for tenders and that a delivery date of October 1 has been stipulated in its ads for the two jets.

The ads make it clear that the aircraft can be either new or second-hand and at this stage, the Boeing Business Jet at a cost of €40m, plus €5m for fitting out is understood to be the Government's preferred choice to replace its Gulfstream 1V, expected to remain in service for part of Ireland's EU presidency.