By John Mullligan
Copyright independent
The aircraft registry in Ireland, which is maintained by the Irish Aviation Authority, confirmed the helicopter – a Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin – was deregistered here on August 28. It carried the registration number EI-GJL.
The same day, the helicopter was re-registered in the Isle of Man and designated with the tail number M-VENA. It remains owned by Anglo Beef Processors Ireland in Co Louth.
Some tax benefits can be achieved by registering aircraft in the Isle of Man.
Mr Goodman, who turned 88 last week, is one of the biggest figures in the Irish meat-processing industry and has a net worth estimated at nearly €3bn. He bought Anglo-Irish Meats in the 1960s.
The helicopter, built in 2007, has a range of about 800km and can carry up to 12 passengers, depending on its configuration. They cost as much as $9m (€7.6m) and are used by various international government agencies, such as the French and British military and Spanish customs services.
When the helicopter was purchased in the middle of 2008, a spokesperson for Mr Goodman’s group confirmed the acquisition, saying it was replacing an older helicopter in use since 1991.
“It is used almost entirely for operational purposes and is a highly efficient method for transporting managers to and from company locations in Ireland and the UK. The company has been using helicopters since 1980,” they added.
Anglo Beef Processors has about 50 locations between Ireland, the UK and mainland Europe.
Isle of Man-based tax advisory firm Martyn Fiddler noted in a document last month that choosing where to register an aircraft “can have a profound effect on operating costs, regulatory obligations, and financial efficiency”.
One of the benefits of having an aircraft registered in the Isle of Man is that the jurisdiction levies no insurance premium tax. That is an additional charge applied to insurance policies. In Ireland, the insurance premium tax is 5pc, which includes a 3pc government levy and 2pc towards the Insurance Compensation Fund. In the UK, the rate is 12pc.
Earlier this month, Anglo Beef Processors announced that a son of Mr Goodman had been appointed chairman of the family-owned business.
Laurence P Goodman (44) has taken over from John Moloney, the former managing director of Glanbia, who remains involved with the group.
