Thousands spent to fly Taoiseach around Europe as government jet deemed unreliable

Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his team were left “stranded” in Brussels after an Air Corps aircraft scheduled to fly them home went out of service at the last minute

Picture: Óglaigh na hÉireann

The Government is exploring options to buy or lease a new jet to allow the Taoiseach and ministers to attend important international events.

This is part of a wider review of the Defence Forces but comes amid “mounting issues” with the current jet which is nearing the end of its natural working life.