Government jet may be grounded by lack of repair budget

One of the two Government jets, the 23-year-old Gulfstream IV aircraft, will be grounded if any non-routine maintenance or other major repair arises, briefing documents prepared by the Department of Defence show.

The documents, prepared for the Taoiseach, who assumed the role of Minister for Defence following Alan Shatter’s resignation, say there was no provision made in the 2014 budget for the replacement of the jet, which has amassed 13,110 flying hours in almost two and a half decades in service. It will remain in service as long as it requires only routine maintenance. There is no plan to sell the aircraft.

Between March 2011 and the end of March 2014 the current Government spent €4.4 million on the Ministerial AAir Transport Service. Of the 218 trips made in this time, 110 were taken on the Gulfstream at a cost of €2.6 million.

A second jet used for the service, the Learjet, will remain in operation.

Elsewhere the documents show two court cases have been taken by former members of the Defence Forces living in Defence-owned "married quarters", while other cases are being prepared.

According to the briefing documents there are about 50 properties occupied by “overholders”, the term it uses to describe former members who have refused to leave married quarters within 21 days of discharge or retirement.

The documents also show the department spent almost €4 million on 489 litigation cases in 2013; the figure is estimated to be €5 million this year.Of the €3.8 million spent in 2013, €2.3 million related to awards and settlements including those arisingfrom personal injury claims taken against the Minister for Defence and compensation for damage or injury caused by military vehicles. The claims also encompass payments made in relation to administrative law cases, for example those arising from the discharge of members of the Defence Forces and cases involving decisions takenfollowing individuals failing compulsory random drug tests.

The remaining €1.5 related to legal and medical costs.