In response to the Deputy I wish to advise that the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) provides the Government and the President with an independent, flexible and effective air transport service to assist in meeting national and international obligations. The use of any Air Corps aircraft for Ministerial transport is subject to the authorisation of An Taoiseach.
Information relating to the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) is published by the Department of Defence and I understand this information is updated on a monthly basis. This information details the Ministerial Air Transport use in tabular form (that includes my Department from March 2011 to date) and can be found on the Department of Defence website at the following web address: www.defence.ie/WebSite.nsf/Document+ID/FFF14F42B7DA240280257632003D5C94?OpenDocument.