Deputies quiz Taoiseach on jets, champagne and chocolates

The Taoiseach has never seen champagne on the Government jet and he does not eat chocolate, Mr Ahern told the Dáil amid questions about the use of the jet.

The Dáil also heard that the Government would have to revisit the issue of buying a large jet, at a future date. "Ultimately it will not go away" as an issue, he said.

The State is buying a nine-seater light business Learjet 45 for €8.4 million in advance of Ireland's EU presidency. "Circumstances have dictated that we can afford only a small seven-nine seater," Mr Ahern said.

Green Party TD, Mr John Gormley (Dublin South-East) had asked about the spending of €100,000 on "food, wine and luxury chocolates" on the jet. He suggested it was an "indulgence" and it sent out the wrong message to people who had to suffer cutbacks.

Mr Ahern asked if the deputy "is suggesting we do not serve food on the jet", to which Mr Gormley replied "no, but luxury chocolates are an obscenity".

When the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, suggested they could serve organic lettuce and brown bread, Mr Ahern said he would suggest it to the Air Corps.

Mr Gormley accused the Taoiseach of being flippant and asked about the cost of food and "particularly indulgences on chocolates and champagne". Mr Ahern said: "I have no idea how much has been spent on chocolates or champagne on the Government jet."

He would check it but added "I have never seen champagne on the Government jet". He said he did not each chocolates, to which Mr Gormley said: "Someone is eating them."

Mr Joe Higgins (Socialists, Dublin West) quipped: "The pilots are scoffing them." Referring to the new jet, Mr Ahern said that "budgetary considerations dictate that at this stage we continue with the Gulfstream jet as a back-up. It has a huge mileage and it is now 13 or 14 years old."

Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, (Sinn Féin) asked how it was "at all defensible that the initial proposition was for a jet that would accommodate over 40 people".

Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny asked Mr Ahern if the new Learjet "gold taps or not gold taps" would be delivered by the end of the year "because I expect that you are taking on very onerous responsibilities with the Cabinet".