The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has said her use of Business Class seats on long haul air travel was in line with current policy.
Minister Catherine Martin was responding to questions about the appropriateness of the use of such seats given the carbon footprint involved.
Speaking at a media conference in Dublin Castle, Minister Martin said that she limited her air travel "as much as possible," but that as Minister for Tourism she undertook a number of trade missions.
She said these trade missions involved "a packed itinerary" and were "in line with a policy in relation to long haul flights".
The deputy leader of the Green Party said the Irish tourism industry was worth €7.6 billion to the economy, employed 250,000 and "was absolutely devastated for the last two years".
"The missions I have engaged in were designed to rebuild that sector (and) had very packed schedules and from the get go," she said.
"Obviously for short haul flights, I fly economy... In my personal capacity, I make every effort to limit my air travel," Ms Martin said.
When asked if she would rule out flying Business Class in the future, the minister said: "I am not going to commit one way or another (on whether she will fly first class again) under pressure from media."
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said "we have to be fair and objective" and "on one level there is a singling out of certain members of Cabinet in respect of this".
Mr Martin said that ministers needed to be able to "hit the ground running" when travelling on international trade missions.
The Taoiseach said the more fundamental point was "the macro legislative environment" and the broader Government agenda on climate change.
