ARAS FORCE ONE
President branded ‘Learjet socialist’ over €36k bill for four short flights
PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins was branded a “Learjet Socialist” yesterday after racking up a €35,910 bill for four flights.
The trips on the State’s luxury Learjet to Kerry, Belfast, London and Paris could have paid a year’s salary for a teacher, garda or nurse.
Presidential rival Gavin Duffy said “excessive spending was a hallmark of this presidency” along with a “sense of entitlement”.
€266
MICHAEL D Higgins has spent almost €36,000 of taxpayers’ money flying around in the Government Learjet so far this year.
The President has chosen the luxury of the Learjet for such short hops as Kerry and Belfast – easily accessible by car or train.
He also chose to fly in the lap of Learjet luxury to London and Paris.
If Michael D had opted to mix with the great unwashed on normal flights – and the train to Belfast as there is no longer a flight from Dublin – he would only have racked up a bill of €266.98.
But the four trips hit the taxpayer for €35,910 – the equivalent of the average industrial wage and the salary of a fully-qualified teacher, garda or nurse for a year.
Presidential rival Gavin Duffy last night branded the President a “Learjet socialist” and he said it reveals his “sense of entitlement”.
A spokesman for the businessman added: “Throughout the campaign Gavin Duffy has placed centre stage the need for value for money in the operation of the Aras.
“Sadly it is no surprise to learn the equivalent of the average industrial wage has been spent on flights. More disturbing is that the destinations are
easily accessible from Ireland which would have meant massive savings on out-of-control spending.
“There is no doubt excessive spending in the Aras has been the hallmark of this presidency and there is an all-pervading sense of entitlement attached to the Office.
“We have asked for the audited accounts and spending to be produced and we are fobbed off and told figures will be produced in November after the election.
“The spending on flights smacks of Learjet socialism – a spend that in another time a figure such as Michael D would have railed against.”
The President was slammed over his use of the Learjet on RTE’S Prime Time debate on Tuesday.
There was another televised debate on Virgin Media One last night where all the other candidates debated again but Mr Higgins refused to appear.
The total flying time for the four return flights would come to nine-and-ahalf hours.
The Defence Forces’ Ministerial Air Transport Service calculates the cost of using the official Government Learjet at €3,780 an hour.
This is worked out by adding the average fixed cost, for things such as wear and tear and staff, with the average variable cost for direct bills including fuel and maintenance.
The Irish Daily Mirror costed flights to Kerry, London and Paris, along with train costs for Belfast – for which there is no longer an air route. The comfy Enterprise express train from Dublin Belfast would cost just €19.99 each way for travel on Monday.
If Michael D chose to go to Kerry the next day, November 6, return flights with Aer Lingus, operated by Stobart Air would cost €96 return.
The next day he could fly to London Luton for €33 return with Ryanair according to last night’s prices. And his his final leg could see him going to Paris Beauvais from Dublin on Thursday for €98 return. The total cost of these four trips would be €266.98.
President Higgins might argue he couldn’t possibly travel by train to Belfast because of his security requireto
What three flights and a train to Belfast could have cost taxpayer
ments but if New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg can travel by subway, there should be no reason why Michael D could not travel by rail too.
The Irish Mirror contacted the Office of the President and the President’s head of commu- nications, Hans Zomer, for comment. However, despite phone calls and emails to the Office, Mr Zomer did not respond.
€3.7k
Cost per hour of keeping the Government Learjet in the air
We asked for audited accounts of spending but were fobbed off SPOKESMAN FOR GAVIN DUFFY YESTERDAY