Micheál Martin has defended travelling business class to New York while making staff travel in economy.
The Taoiseach cost the taxpayer thousands of euro more and used double the carbon emissions of a regular flyer on his US jaunt. Mr Martin and tow of his advisers travelled business class, while other hard-working staff, including his Government Press Secretary, Paul Clarkson, had to fly back in economy.A business class flight from Dublin to New York return would cost €5,459 if he was travelling out next Wednesday and back on Friday.
The plane was out over Mayo when it was forced to return to Dublin Airport, with passengers put on another plane instead and leaving two hours later. The problem was caused by a bird strike and Mr Martin and his entourage were on another plane in two hours and on their way across the Atlantic again.