Government jet clash takes wing among TDs

The government, led by Garret FitzGerald, was seriously concerned about the high cost of running the government jet within months of taking office in 1983.

A Cabinet memo from May 1983 shows ministers believed any decision on retaining the aircraft should consider “the overall effect on public morale” given the continuous pressure on the government to significantly reduce expenditure on ministerial transport.

It noted that the jet was generally regarded as “a very expensive and luxurious facility” — a view which was not shared by then transport minister Jim Mitchell.