Troubled Government jet breaks down again

The Government jet has broken down again, forcing the Taoiseach to hire an air taxi this morning to take him to a trade mission…

The Government jet has broken down again, forcing the Taoiseach to hire an air taxi this morning to take him to a trade mission in Prague.

A Government spokesman said the jet was grounded early this morning when a problem was discovered with the aircraft's hydraulics system.

The group of about a dozen people - including Mr Ahern - left for the Czech capital in the air taxi.

The spokesman said the delegation would be travelling back to Ireland in the air taxi after the two-day visit. The service cost more than €36,000.

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Earlier this month, the jet broke down forcing Mr Ahern to travel back to Ireland from Mexico on a commercial airliner.

The Taoiseach is with Minister of State for Trade at the Department of Enterprise, Mr Michael Ahern.

Patrick  Logue

Patrick Logue

Patrick Logue is Digital Editor of The Irish Times