The Government will take delivery of its new €8 million jet tomorrow. The LearJet 45 is expected to fly from the US via Iceland and will land at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, tomorrow evening.
It will be officially unveiled to the media on Monday morning at Baldonnel before Aer Corps pilots undertake a round of familiarisation flights. The first official flights are expected to take place within two weeks.
The eight-seater jet, which was built by Bombardier LearJet, is seen as vital to Ireland's EU presidency, which begins on January 1st.
The Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, said it was "reassuring for the Government to know that the Air Corps and the Defence Forces can be relied on 100 per cent" for air transport during the six-month presidency term.
"Contrary to what you are likely to read in the media, this is not a luxury item but rather an essential tool for the coming EU presidency. At a net cost of €8 million this aircraft is excellent value for money and, as it was funded from savings made from within my Department's budget, it is not costing the Irish taxpayer an extra penny.
"For the next six months, Ministers, Ministers of State and their officials will be obliged to attend literally hundreds of meetings across Europe, while at the same time trying to manage their Departments and deliver for Ireland.
"We will have responsibility for the political management and well-being of over 380 million people. And, through its involvement in the flying and maintenance of the Government's air transport service, the Air Corps will be playing an essential and crucial role in Ireland's presidency."
The LearJet 45 has a maximum flying range of 1,900 nautical miles with a full complement of passengers, meaning that it can travel to Moscow or Istanbul from Dublin. Such a range is far greater than that of the aging five-seater turbo-prop Beechcraft used since 1980.
The Government has also had a 14-seat Gulfstream IV aircraft since 1991. That will be retained. Mr Smith has also confirmed the State will take delivery next year of eight Pilatus PC 9M turbo-prop trainer aircraft at a cost of €60 million.
