berties jet

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No cash left to pay for Bertie's new jet
 


DON LAVERY

TENDERS to supply the Government with two new executive jets which could cost up to €60m have to be in by Friday - but the Department of Defence has no money with which to buy them.

Although both new jets are supposed to be in service by October 1, the Government still hasn't figured out how to pay for them. Defence Minister Michael Smith has admitted that there is no money in the 2003 Defence Vote to acquire the planes and conceded that "additional funding will have to be identified".

Tenders must be in by Friday and will deal with new, or second-hand planes which can be bought outright, leased, lease purchased or other arrangements made.

The larger of the two new jets will replace the Gulfstream 4 and must be able to carry at least 25 passengers with a crew of five; the second jet will be able to carry seven passengers. and will replace the Beechcraft King Air plane.


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