A local MEP is calling on the Irish government to reimburse Irish citizens returning from Dubai and other parts of the UAE.
Independent MEP Ciaran Mullooly says there has been an 'abject failure' to use an EU emergency support mechanism to get citizens out of the warzone.
The government has now activated the EU's Civil Protection Mechanism, which will enable the European Commission to cover up to 75 per cent of flight costs if at least 30 per cent of available seats are offered to other EU citizens.
The mechanism had been triggered by 16 member states, with over 40 flights offered and hundreds of passengers transported on board.
The first Government-chartered flight to bring people stranded in the Middle East home to Ireland will be landing in Dublin tonight, with each adult passenger being charged €800 for the trip.
Lanesboro politician Ciaran Mullooly says the Taoiseach should apologise to Irish citizens over the costs incurred:
