Cullen defends use of helicopters
Wednesday, 4 March 2009 13:50The Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism has defended his use of Air Corps aircraft.
Martin Cullen said his use of a helicopter this week to attend functions in Co Kerry and a meeting with the Minister for Finance in Dublin was absolutely necessary.
He said the actual cost of the flights was not high as crews and the aircraft are always available. He added that 90% of the costs are fixed and are there whether a minister avails of a helicopter or not.
Minister Cullen said he is one of the lowest users of Air Corps aircraft and that there was no other way he could have performed his duties as he did on Monday.
During a flight on Monday, the door of the helicopter fell off prompting a precautionary landing. A second helicopter was then used to bring the Minister to Dublin.
Minister Cullen agreed the affair looks bad in light of the way it is presented by the media. However, he said it is easy to forget that five people were 'nearly killed' in the incident.
The minister said if he had not used the helicopter he would have spent around nine hours in the car that day, when he could have been attending meetings.
He said the use of the helicopter was about efficiency.
