Government jet sent to pick up Kenny after FG event

The Government jet was sent to Mayo to collect Taoiseach Enda Kenny last month after a day spent meeting local Fine Gael councillors and opening a new constituency office.

The Learjet, carrying Mr Kenny’s officials, flew from Baldonnel Aerodrome on Monday, June 22nd, to Knock in his constituency to collect the Taoiseach before heading to Brussels.

While en route to Belgium, the aircraft had to return to Baldonnel for repairs. Mr Kenny had spent the earlier part of the day in Mayo where he opened a new office in Ballinrobe, close to the Galway border, for Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony.

Mr O'Mahony is to contest the next general election in neighbouring Galway West as Mayo is dropping from a five- to a four-seat constituency.

The Taoiseach has full-time use of a garda-driven car and has been spending more time in his constituency recently, particularly on Mondays.

The total cost of the day's use of the Learjet, including flights to Brussels, according to estimates from the Department of Defence, was €9,208.

Manifesto

In its 2011 general election manifesto, in a section called “Tackling cronyism and feather bedding in politics”, Fine Gael said it would “introduce a new code of practice for the use of the government jet ensuring cost-effective and transparent travel”, adding: “To stamp out any abuse, cheaper commercial alternatives must be taken when possible.”

A spokesman for Mr Kenny said he was travelling to an emergency meeting of euro zone leaders on Greece, called "at short notice" and requiring the use of the Learjet.

The meeting had been called four days earlier.