Ireland should ask Qatar for new Government jet, suggests senator
The Department of Defence has signed a deal to purchase a French-made €53m Falcon 6X, with delivery expected in December.
But Independent senator Aubrey McCarthy has suggested Ireland should ask Qatar, which is set to gift US president Donald Trump a 0m plane, for a similar deal.
'Given Qatar's apparent willingness to provide such high-value assets as diplomatic gifts, should Ireland explore similar avenues? If jets are being handed out, perhaps we should throw our diplomatic hat in the ring.
Maybe we could talk them into giving us a Learjet or a Gulfstream or something that is not as flash as the one for Air Force One but has leather seats, decent wi-fi and perhaps a microwave for heating sausage rolls.
Ms McCarthy has called upon the foreign affairs minister to explore diplomatic negotiations, telling the Seanad: "While we do not need a palace in the sky, such diplomacy could yield a significant rate to Irish taxpayers".
US president Donald Trump has defended accepting a jet from Qatar, saying Air Force One is 40 years old. Picture: AP /Manuel Balce Ceneta
ABC News reported Mr Trump will use the plane as a new version of Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office in January 2029, when ownership will be transferred to the foundation overseeing his yet-to-be-built presidential library.
Mr Trump defended the idea, saying the existing Air Force One was 40 years old.
'We're the United States of America. I believe we should have the most impressive plane," he told Fox News host Sean Hannity.
The Falcon 6X will have a total seating capacity of 17 persons and a passenger capacity of 14. It will be operated by the Irish Air Corps from Baldonnel.
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