Defence officials to defend sale of Government jet for less than half its price

Department of Defence officials will today defend the controversial sale of the Government jet for less than half its price, claiming that serious market problems meant the low cost was the only option available.

Department of Defence secretary general Maurice Quinn will make the claim during a meeting with the Dáil’s public accounts committee this morning, despite repeated criticism over the past two years.

Last year, the Comptroller and Auditor General found that despite the Air Corps pricing the Government jet at €750,000 and related spare parts at €405,000, the items were sold in January 2015 for just €418,000 and €53,000 respectively.