Wicklow Health Minister Justifies Use Of Government Jet

Health Minister and Wicklow TD Stephen Donnelly  used the government jet to fly to Brussels for a routine EU meeting last month, despite an alternative commercial flight being available.

Donnelly and four officials travelled on the jet on December 8th for a meeting in Brussels, EU health ministers met the following day.

East Coast News has been told by a spokesperson for the minister that the government jet was used to facilitate Donnelly's busy schedule and has only used the government jet twice since taking office.

Wicklow Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore says that more transparency is needed.

A spokesman for the Minister for Health said:

The Government Jet was requested to facilitate the Minister’s busy diary commitments.

Within the delegation, the Minister was being supported by his Private secretary, along with a senior official from North-South, EU & International Unit, a senior official from the Medicines, Controlled Drugs and Pharmacy Legislation Unit, and a junior colleague for briefing and reporting support. No advisers travelled with the Minister.

The Minister’s official briefing for the event was scheduled to take place during the flight.

The Minister had a meeting at 8pm on the Thursday evening in Brussels and a number of bilateral engagements early on Friday morning before attending the EPSCO Council. 

The Minister has only used the Government Jet twice since taking office over two and a half years ago.'