Not every EU government has a jet. Some use military planes, charter flights and even ordinary commercial flights, writes Conor Lally
The Government's plans to spend in excess of €50 million on two new jets will put it mid-way in the league table of European state aircraft. When it comes to transporting heads of state and ministers by air, the French, Spanish and Germans are best resourced.
Many EU member-states have no designated jets for their heads of state and ministers, requiring them to use charter and commercial flights instead.
Others have smaller more modest planes for transporting their leaders. Most of the small planes in use in the EU are VIP type while the bigger aircraft are fitted with conference rooms, bedrooms and can seat up to 80 passengers.
In France, President Chirac has a plane of his own. It is a Falcon 900 VIP jet, capable of transatlantic flights. It holds up to 15 passengers and has a cruising speed of around 500 m.p.h. The French also have four other aircraft. They are the Mystere 50 and Mystere 20, and two much bigger Airbus 319 models. The Mystere 50 can carry 13 people and the Mystere 20, 10 passengers. Both Airbus 319 planes can carry around 40 passengers but are fitted with numerous bathrooms, bedrooms and conference areas. Many of the seats convert to double beds.
The Spanish government has two Falcon 900s, similar to that used by President Chirac in France. They also have three Falcon 50s, which are executive style jets catering for six to 10 people. Their two Boeing 707s are currently being replaced by two Airbus 311 planes.
The Germans have six aircraft used for transporting members of the government. Their fleet boasts six Challenger 14-seater VIP jets. They also have two Airbus 310 jets which boast conference rooms and seating for up to 80 passengers.
The Belgians, like the Germans, have two Airbus 310 jets. They also have one Falcon jet. In Sweden, the government and royal family share two small Gulfstream jets. One is a Gulfstream IV craft, the same as the current Irish Government jet.
In the UK, a recent plan to buy additional aircraft seems to have been shelved. However, the British have several BAe 146 planes for Government use. Depending on their configuration, each plane can take up to 100 passengers. The British Prime Minister, Mr Blair, sometimes uses Ryanair when he goes on holiday.
The Italian government does not have its own private jet. But a small fleet of military aircraft are used exclusively to transport ministers. A 14-passenger Falcon jet is used for shorter journeys while "4 or 5 slightly bigger aircraft" are used for longer flights, a spokesman said.
The Dutch Government and royal family share a Fokker 70 jet. The Greek Government had one Falcon jet but it crashed three years ago killing one Minister and several journalists. A second Falcon jet has been ordered but at the moment Greek officials use charter and scheduled aircraft. The Portuguese have one Gulfstream jet.
The remaining four EU member-states use military or civilian aircraft. In Luxembourg, the government uses regular commercial flights while the Grand Duke and Old Grand Duke sometimes use a military plane. In Austria, charter aircraft are used.
In Denmark, the government uses military aircraft. These planes are used for fishery surveillance when they are not in use by government.
The Finnish President and government use commercial and charter planes. On special occasions, VIP jets are used but these are always chartered. Military aircraft are also used.