The Minister for the Diaspora has defended charging people €800 per seat on the Government’s first repatriation flight from the Middle East.
The cost is notably higher than the £400 (€460) the British Government is charging Britons for a seat on a charter flight back from the region.
On Newstalk Breakfast, Fine Gael’s Neale Richmond described charging for a repatriation flight back to Ireland as “standard practice”.
“This was the same when we did evacuation flights throughout COVID - there is a contribution,” he said.
“It's understandable; no mention, of course, that children will fly for free.
“Of course, the six and a half hour bus ride from Dubai to Muscat will, of course, be covered.
"We have not had any pushback from anyone on the ground.”
Minister Richmond added that if anyone in the Middle East is in financial difficulty, then it would be a “different story”.
He continued that Irish officials worked “very hard” to get 300 Irish citizens onto the Emirates flight.
“We're in constant engagement to increase the amount of flights to get,” he said.
“Primarily those first and foremost who are stranded in transit, but then those who are there on holiday with priority going to the most vulnerable.”
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In Dublin Airport, those arriving back from the Middle East spoke of shock about the outbreak of violence in the region and relief at being home.
Speaking to reporter Henry McKean, Terenure resident Peter Souter said he was looking forward to seeing his wife and two daughters.
“So relieved to be back,” he said.
“Like, it's unbelievable, actually. I was so lucky to get on that flight. Like, so lucky.”
Mr Souter added that he “really” wants to give them a hug.
“It's been a very weird time,” he said.
“It was scary the first night.
“It was pretty loud and then it was just trying to get on a flight, trying to find a way home.”
Passengers arriving back from Dubai in Dublin airport. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.Liz and Anthony from Dublin had been due to arrive back in Ireland on Saturday, only to see their flights cancelled as the war broke out.
“We were due back last Saturday and, obviously, the flights were all cancelled,” Liz said.
“We were actually in the airport when the explosion happened and so it was quite traumatic for us.
“And so when we were trying to evacuate the airport, it was just pandemonium.
“It was manic and something that I wouldn't like to go through again.”
The US and Israeli militaries are continuing to strike Iran, while Tehran has retaliated against US allies in the region.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has called for a “de-escalation of the conflict and a return to the negotiating table”.
Main image: Irish people returning to Dublin Airport from the Middle East. Picture by: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie.
