Government Minister Simon Coveney took the Government jet to a fancy ribbon-cutting ceremony in Africa – at a cost of €26,000 to the taxpayer.
According to the Irish Independent, Coveney attended a trade mission in Algeria in September, where one of his responsibilities was to cut the ribbon on a new supermarket in the city of Oran.
It was probably a smashing new supermarket, complete with self service tills that work, a wine selection from every corner of the globe and a bakery with fresh bread every single morning.
But still, did it really need an Irish Government Minister, six of his flunkies and the Gulfstream IV jet which took them there, at a cost of €26,000 to you and me, to be on hand to witness it?
Possibly not.
Nevertheless, best of luck to Kevin O’Boyle, the Dublin businessman who is opening the shop, Bia Metro, with his Algerian business partner Zemri Benheddi.
