Bertie hitches lift as jet breaks down

THE Government spent €36,000 yesterday to fly the Taoiseach to Prague after the Government jet broke down again.

The second breakdown in a fortnight was caused by a mechanical fault on the clapped out Gulf Stream executive jet. The problem was discovered in the plane’s hydraulic system before the Taoiseach’s delegation of 12 people was due to leave for the capital of the Czech Republic.

To get the Taoiseach to Prague for the two-day trade mission another plane was chartered, costing €36,000 for the return trip.