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THE GOVERNMENT’S GULFSTREAM IV jet, one of two aircraft that had been used for official State business, has been sold for $500,000.
The jet was grounded in the US last summer after problems were discovered during routine maintenance and now the aircraft, which is over two decades old, has been sold off.
The sale, to a US-based company, was completed last December for $500,000 or around €460,000 at current exchange rates. The jet has been re-registered to a firm in Florida, TheJournal.ie has learned.
The Department of Defence said the decisions was made based on the number of flying hours, the age of the aircraft and the cost of repairs.
In January, Defence Minister Simon Coveney was quoted on Flying in Ireland as saying he had made the decision that the State was not going to spend any more money on trying to make the ageing jet fit for purpose given it had been grounded since last summer.
Given the budgetary position the country was facing and the Government had to manage in the past four years, we had to ensure we were not spending money on an aeroplane that was really at the end of its life. Accordingly, we stopped spending money.
On 27 July last year the jet was flown to Gulf Aerospace Corporation in the US state of Georgia for routine annual maintenance.
It was here that problems were detected with the undercarriage of the plane during routine maintenance checks and it has been grounded ever since.
The Department of Defence said:
During this inspection, it became apparent that the servicing and repair of the aircraft would have involved a significantly higher level of investment than was anticipated. Given the number of flying hours achieved and the age of the craft it was decided that the aircraft would be withdrawn from service and would not be returned back to Ireland.
Conveney said the government continues to operate on one smaller, shorter aircraft, a Learjet. He said he does not expect the government to purchase a new jet “any time soon” given budget constraints.
Replacing the jet with one of a similar age could cost around €4 million but a newer model would cost up to €40 million. An inter-departmental group is currently examining the future options for the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) with Coveney to bring its final report to government with recommendations.
“We have been managing with one smaller aircraft. I accept that this is not ideal at times, given the number of people who may need to travel with the Taoiseach or the President. However, it has not caused significant problems,” Coveney said.
The Gulfstream, which is 24 years old, was earmarked for abandonment in Brian Lenihan’s Budget in December 2010, having racked up over 13,000 flying hours.
However in 2012, when both jets were still operational, Coveney’s predecessor at the Department of the Defence, Alan Shatter, said he had no intention of getting rid of either of the government jets.
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Witnessed the swords one myself, its terrifying in real life. Couldn’t sleep a wink after it. For all the site they deal with, the people who work on the front line are cut from a different cloth
Was there myself. Shocked at what was being passed off by some as first aid! Breathing yet unconscious individuals do not need chest compressions!!!
First Aid should be compulsory for all!
Emergency services where swift and brilliant!!!!
How many house fire deaths is that now in Oldcourt?
Tragic.
Way too many. There have been reports printed about those houses being death traps. I think 5 died in the late ’80′s(4 children) and certainly there have been 2 or 3 other serious fires there resulting in the poor residents losing their lives. Very sad.
The people of Bray now need to demand a full time Fire Service…. No excuses anymore.
Very sad news to wake up to. RIP.
Is there any reason given why wicklow (Bray) Fire Service, was not in attendance. Oldcourt is only a few hundred metres from Bray Fire Station.
they are in attendance Diver, my family live there. all emergency services are at the scene
Sorry Diver, that has been changed now. I had initially talked to the DFB about the incident but they have clarified it was Bray units at the scene.
Read the article, slowly.
DFB aren’t and weren’t there.
they we’re there and are still there! Stop gossip mongering!
I walked past the house this morning at 6.25 on my way to work, two massive fire engines, ambulance and countless Garda cars on scene! Stop commenting on things when you don’t have the facts!
Dublin Fire Brigage probably we’rent there…but Bray Fire Brigade certainly we’re and still are there.
Hi all, the first line has been changed now. I had initially talked to the DFB about the incident but they have clarified it was Bray units at the scene.
Thanks
Sinead
Bray fire. Not Dublin
Hi Brian, As I said earlier, that has been changed. I had originally talked to DFB so that’s where the confusion came from. It was changed to Bray units before 8am. Thanks!
@ Sinead O’Carroll. Looks like you have been blessed with a panel of experts on fire fighting and perhaps you could ask them for advice and suggestions ? Have they installed smoke detectors and CO alarms ? Where would they recommend placing some fire extinguishers ? Have they got a plan for getting the children and them selves out safely and quickly should they have a fire? Do they think that jumping out of a window is a good idea? Lots more to ask them while they are nit-picking headlines and minor details of on-going and breaking news.
@fognistical Brian Murray is a well respected fireman in Bray,and tragically today is also the anniversary of his fathers death,he passed away in the line of duty as a bray fireman. Thinking of all the Murrays and O Shaughnesseys today and also the Costigans
Bollox
That was a comment for fognostical!
Anyone know where exactly in Hollywell the fire occurred?
Holywell Way.
have your say