Taoiseach rejects Green Party proposal

The Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen has rejected calls by the Green Party that the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) aircraft be got rid of in the interests of green house emissions and cost. The Greens are a coalition partner in the Irish Government with two Ministerial positions being held by the party. The Minister for the Environment, John Gormley and Energy Minister Eamon Ryan both refuse to avail of official air transport, insisting on using Ryanair instead.

When asked about getting rid of the MATS aircraft, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said that in the "context of a Government doing it's business in the modern age there is need for such facilities".