TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore will travel in separate aircraft on foot of advice from the Department of Defence when most of the Cabinet departs for Brussels today.
Although “no specific threat” has been identified, Mr Kenny will take a commercial flight early this morning while Mr Gilmore is expected to board the Government jet at Baldonnel shortly afterwards.
The Taoiseach will return on the Gulfstream in the evening when Mr Gilmore flies commercial.
Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar will be using the jet for the first time, his spokesman confirmed. Minister of State for European Affairs Lucinda Creighton will also travel, along with seven other Cabinet Ministers using a “combination” of jet and commercial flights.
The most senior member of Government remaining in Ireland will be Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn. Asked if Mr Quinn would be effectively in charge of the State, the Government spokesman said modern technology meant a transfer of executive power was not required.
Also travelling are Minister for Finance Michael Noonan; Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin; Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton; Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan; Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte; Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney and Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton.
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