Bill for ministers’ helicopter use soars 50%

THE bill for the use of helicopters by ministers has soared by nearly 50% in the past two years.

The number of flights rose by almost 40% between 2006 and 2008 — with the total cost rising from e72,415 to e106,370.

The figures show:

There were 27 flights in 2006, 24 in 2007 and 37 in last year.

The total cost of the flights was e72,415 in 2006, e81,436 in 2007 and e106,370 in 2008.

The costs include fuel, maintenance, support services, personnel and depreciation costs.

The high flyers are the Taoiseach and the ministers for defence, justice and transport.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea was the biggest user of helicopters last year, using them 10 times.

On nine occasions, it brought him to and/or from Sarsfield Barracks in Limerick, his home constituency. The total cost was e30,000.

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern used helicopters nine times in 2007, in virtually all cases bringing him to and/or from Drumcondra. This cost e28,000.

In 2006, he used them 13 times, at a cost of e22,000.

The extent to which Government ministers use helicopters emerged last week after the door of a helicopter — transporting Arts Minister Martin Cullen from Killarney to Dublin having earlier flown him from Waterford to the Co Kerry town — fell off. That flight cost almost e6,000.

Figures for this year, to March 2, show e21,400 has been spent on five ministerial flights. Less than e9,000 was spent in the same period in 2008 and e11,700 in the same period in 2007.

The figures followed an analysis by the Irish Examiner of data supplied to Fine Gael TD Jim O’Keeffe in response to a parliamentary question.

“Helicopters are not there as a convenience for ministers,” said Mr O’Keeffe.

“Particularly now, in the dire economic circumstances and the state of the exchequer, there should be careful use of state resources. I’m not saying there should be a ban on the use of helicopters by ministers, but in the main they should only be used for emergencies or in extreme circumstances that can be justified.”

Supplying the information, Mr O’Dea said while the cost of helicopters was a factor in determining their use, they provided greater flexibility for ministers.