The Government's decision to buy two new jets and hold on to the existing Gulfstream IV until the end of Ireland's European Union presidency next year has been sharply criticised by the Opposition.
Fine Gael's defence spokesman, Mr Dinny McGinley, said: "This is a status symbol for the Taoiseach. If he can't have the Bertie Bowl, at least he will have the Bertie Jet."
The Cabinet had decided to go on "an extravagant spending spree at a time of severe economic cutbacks in every area, from health, to education, and to infrastructure", he said.
The Gulfstream IV had completed only 8,000 flying hours, which "is just about run in. Compare that to our commercial Aer Lingus fleet where the aeroplanes have between 30,000 and 40,000 flying hours".
"In these difficult economic times the strategy for the Government jet should not be to indulge in such extravagant expenditure," he added.
The Gulfstream IV, which was bought in 1991, would serve another five or 10 years if maintained refurbished by registered aircraft service companies, he said.
"While I do recognise the necessity of having a dependable and safe method of transport for the Government to execute their national and international obligations and duties, I do not think this is the right time to do it," Deputy McGinley said.
Meanwhile, Labour TD, Ms Róisín Shortall, said the decision to buy "a small fleet of aircraft" displayed the Government's "perverse sense of priorities".
"At a time when the public are being asked to accept a seemingly endless round of cutbacks and increases in the cost of public services, it is extraordinary that the government can apparently find the money for this lavish outlay without any great difficulty.
"What is more important? The Taoiseach being embarrassed by an occasional breakdown of the Government jet or a child being educated in a dilapidated or rat-infested school?
"A junior minister having to take a scheduled flight or patients being asked to spend hours on hospital trolleys? Comfort and convenience for the leaders of Government or the chronic needs of those with disabilities?
"What this decision shows beyond dispute is that the members of this Government have become smug and arrogant from spending too long in office and have lost all touch with reality," she said.
Green Party TD, Mr Eamon Ryan, said he accepted that the Government needed better transport for the six-month EU presidency, which begins in January.
"However, I would have preferred if they had leased an aircraft. That is what a lot of major multinationals are doing. It is cheaper.
"And you don't have the repair and maintenance problems that poor Bertie was left with." Such a decision would have sent a signal to the public that the next couple of years would be tough.
"This has sent out the wrong signals entirely. It isn't essential expenditure," he added.
