Varadkar defends flying from NY to Miami for less than 20 hours 

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar's flight to Florida and return to New York will cost approximately 16,439 metric tonnes of carbon. Picture: Brian Lawless

The Taoiseach has defended his last-minute decision to break away from UN week in New York to fly to Miami for less than 20 hours.

Leo Varadkar flies to the Florida city later today, where he will officially open the Irish consulate, which has been operational since last year.

The Taoiseach’s flight to Florida and return to New York will cost approximately 16,439 metric tonnes of carbon.

Asked about this, Mr Varadkar said: "I think it's important that I as Taoiseach, should open up the new office, it's our consulate to Miami, Florida. The State of Florida is one of the most important states now in the union, a huge economic powerhouse, and also it's our new office to the Caribbean."

Me Varadkar added: "I was keen to do it, I have a number of other engagements as well. 

The fact that the head of government is there, it makes a big difference in terms of the meetings that you get access to, that we can secure for our staff there.

"Obviously, the alternative way to have done it is to make a dedicated trip from Ireland which would have cost more and more co2 emissions," said Mr Varadkar.

When asked about the environmental impact of the trip, Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan said: "I don't think we should turn this into a kind of a moral quiz, in terms of who's the most virtuous.”

Before arriving at the UN in New York, Mr Ryan met with his US counterpart in Washington but travelled by train.

Asked if the Taoiseach was undermining his climate argument by going down to cut a ribbon in Miami, Mr Ryan said: “What the Taoiseach is doing is important, not just in terms of representation to that part of the world. But critically, we're setting up our mission to the Caribbean and small island developing states."

Mr Varadkar flies out of New York this evening, but will be back in the city tomorrow afternoon before delivering Ireland's national statement to the UN General Assembly on Friday.

With a focus on climate, Green Party leader Eamon Ryan is also taking part in UN annual summit as is Tánaiste Micheál Martin. Health Minisnter Stephen Donnelly is travelling to New York as political leaders from the around the world are due to discuss future pandemic preparedness.