Former taoisigh and presidents are now having to pay for their air travel, as Aer Lingus has ended one of the most attractive perks available to such high-flyers. For many years, the airline offered complimentary first-class travel for leisure, as opposed to business, purposes to such former senior office holders. But as the company prepares for a flotation that may or may not happen, many such arrangements have been reviewed, and this one has been discontinued.
Seven individuals were entitled to free flights - former presidents Mary Robinson and Patrick Hillery,and former taoisigh Liam Cosgrave, Garret FitzGerald, Charles Haughey, Albert Reynolds and John Bruton. When he became eligible, however, Bruton declined, on the basis that he is still a serving politician - indeed one who sees himself more as a future taoiseach than a former one.
Aer Lingus would not disclose this week how much free flying they had all been doing, and insisted that preparing for the flotation, rather than reports that one of the above was a very frequent flyer indeed, forced them to drop the perk. A spokesman said that while offering the facility was considered appropriate to a state airline, it would not be appropriate to a private company.
The free flights ended last summer and, in a letter conveying the bad news, Aer Lingus chairman Bernie Cahill made sure to lobby for their continued custom: "We are glad to have been able to provide this recognition of your service to the State," he wrote, "and I look forward to your continuing to use our services in the future."