
Taoiseach: My flight was NOT switched for the Cork match
Micheál Martin and members of his team were meant to fly home from Osaka last Friday via Dubai and were scheduled to land just after midday on Saturday. But Extra.ie has learned the flights were changed days before the trip, with Mr Martin instead flying home via Toronto.
He landed at 8.15 am and later travelled to Croke Park for the Cork v Dublin game. Last night, there were calls for the Taoiseach to publish the security advice he received and publish the cost of the changes immediately. Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
Mr Martin, an avid supporter of Cork GAA, watched his county beat Dublin 7-26 to 2-21. By 7 pm, he had posted an image of himself at the match with the caption: 'Magnificent win for Cork in a contest full of attacking intent and spectacular skill. Hurling of the highest level to secure an All-Ireland final ahead of a valiant Dublin side.'
Sources close to Mr Martin insisted that being on time for the match did not play a role in the change to his travel plans. A spokesman in the Department of the Taoiseach said it was to 'mitigate against any risk of flight cancellations given the security situation' in the Middle East, with airstrikes launched on Qatar a week before his trip to Japan.
The spokesman said the final costs of the flights are still being calibrated, with Opposition TDs calling on the Taoiseach to publish the figures and any advice leading to his flight change. Labour's Ged Nash said: 'The Office of the Taoiseach would be well advised to clear this up without delay. Nobody should have any difficulty with our head of Government and ministers travelling to represent our country. Labour TD Ged Nash. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
'That's a given… [but] when there are last-minute changes to schedules, there ought to be a straightforward explanation forthcoming… especially in cases where there may be additional, unexpected expenditure involved.'
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín noted the Middle East has been a risk for 'quite some time' and questioned why the original flights were booked in the first place. He said: 'We have had this before. Politicians have changed flights for their entourage in the past for frivolous reasons.
'If flights are changed for the Taoiseach and his officials for security reasons, that's logical. However, if any decision was influenced by non-security issues, like a GAA match, that's outrageous. We could be talking about tens of thousands of taxpayers' money here. I believe the Taoiseach should publish the security advice he received and publish the cost of the changes immediately.' Peter Burke TD. Pic: Conor Ó Mearáin / Collins Photo Agency
The Taoiseach began his four-day visit to Japan this day last week, aiming to promote bilateral relationships. He travelled to Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima. Enterprise Minister Peter Burke had visited Japan just a week prior, as the Government eyes new trading partners.
It is understood that Mr Martin was accompanied by a team of approximately six delegates, including his chief of staff, Deirdre Gillane, two special advisers, a private secretary, and two guards. The trip, which had been on the horizon for several months, took place from Tuesday, July 1, to Friday, July 4.
On June 10, journalists covering the trip were given the Taoiseach's itinerary. The note stated that Mr Martin would fly home from Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka via Dubai, with his first flight scheduled to depart at 11:45 p.m. Toronto Pearson Airport. Pic: Getty Images
The press were sent a list of bullet trains to book for travel through Japan, including the train to take them to the Osaka airport in time for Mr Martin's flight home. However, while in Japan, they learned Mr Martin's travel arrangements had changed, meaning he would be arriving in Ireland earlier than planned, with no explanation given at the time.
One source on the trip noted that flying from Osaka to Toronto and on to Dublin takes longer in terms of travel time. Passengers cross the international date line while over the Atlantic, which meant the Taoiseach left Osaka at 6.37 pm Japanese time on July 4 and arrived at 5.42 pm on the same date in Canada. The delegation departed for Dublin at 10.21 pm.
'The original booking [via Dubai] was scheduled to land at 12.15 pm on Saturday [July 5]. The revised booking [via Toronto] was scheduled to land at 8.15 am,' a Government spokesman said. A spokesman in the Department of the Taoiseach confirmed to the Mail that Mr Martin's return flights, and those of his delegation, were changed a week before he travelled to Japan.
Asked if ensuring the Taoiseach would be back in Dublin in time for the match played any role in the changing of the flights, the spokesman said the change was 'to mitigate against any risk of flight cancellations given the security situation, which had resulted in extensive Middle East airspace being closed in the days prior'.
Numerous countries closed their airspaces after Iran launched an airstrike on a US naval base in Qatar on June 23 – a week before the Taoiseach visited Japan. Airports Dubai, which is almost 700km from Qatar, briefly suspended flights in the 24 hours after the attack.
According to a Government spokesman, the cost of changing flights for Mr Martin and his staff 'has not yet been reconciled'. Flights from Osaka to Toronto Pearson this coming Friday, July 11, begin at €1,047 for an economy seat and extend to €4,974 for business class.
To fly from Toronto Pearson to Dublin on the same night would cost €271 in economy and €3,800 in business class. This means that booking new flights for the Taoiseach and his staff could cost anywhere between €9,226, if the entire team flew economy, and €61,418 if everyone flew business class.
Sources pointed out that while it is common for Government leaders to fly business class on official trips, many delegates going with them will travel in economy.

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