Minister’s hotel cost €1,650 per night

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has defended the practice of sending ministers abroad for St Patrick’s Day after it emerged that one minister’s hotel room last year cost €1,650 a night.

Arts Minister Séamus Brennan, who held the social affairs portfolio at the time, represented Ireland at St Patrick’s celebrations in Rome and the Vatican last year. He stayed in a luxury suite in the Hassler Roma Hotel in Rome for two nights, costing €3,300.

Other figures showed significant bills being incurred for VIP services at airports. Junior minister Seán Haughey’s delegation spent more than €1,100 on the way to Moscow. Junior minister Mary Wallace’s party spent almost €1,000 on the way to Vienna.