The Tánaiste, Mary Harney, has apologised for using an Air Corps aircraft to travel to Leitrim to open an off-licence before Christmas.
Ms. Harney, who returned today from her honeymoon in Kenya, told RTÉ news that she regretted not postponing the opening until after the Christmas holidays. She said she could understand why people were annoyed about the issue, and that she was sorry it had arisen.
The Fine Gael spokesman on Public Enterprise, Jim Higgins, welcomed the Tanaiste's apology and said he hoped it served as a reminder to other Government ministers that rules and procedures must apply to the use of State-owned aircraft.
He asked if the Taoiseach would now apologise for personally sanctioning the use of the plane by the Tánaiste to travel to Leitrim.
