Ministers up in the air

THE use of the government jet by cabinet members is a continuing source of controversy.

For instance, it has been said in defence of Transport Minister Noel Dempsey’s recent use of the government jet to go to Donegal that it was necessary in order to enable him to travel onward to England for a meeting the next day.

Perhaps that is acceptable.

However, it is entirely unnecessary to use an expensive executive jet (or helicopter) for these short journeys. It would be more appropriate to rent, or for the Air Corps to lay on, a light piston-engined aircraft to carry up to three passengers for such trips (including the relatively short journey over water to Britain).

This would be much less expensive that a jet.

John Stafford

Dargle Wood

Knocklyon

Dublin 16