Government out to tender for new €45m jet after  'embarrassing' breakdown

The Learjet 45 entered service in 2004, but has been breaking down at regular junctures. Picture: Military.ie

The Government has gone out to tender for a new €45m jet aircraft to replace the beleaguered Learjet, which broke down again last week as sources described it as a “national embarrassment”.

Earlier this week, the Irish Examiner reported that the Government had to charter a €7,000-per-hour business aircraft to bring the Tánaiste to the Middle East after the Learjet broke down again leaving Taoiseach Leo Varadkar “stranded” in Paris.