The Government jet has broken down again, forcing the Taoiseach to hire an air taxi this morning to take him to a trade mission in Prague.
A Government spokesman said the jet was grounded early this morning when a problem was discovered with the aircraft's hydraulics system.
The group of about a dozen people - including Mr Ahern - left for the Czech capital in the air taxi.
The spokesman said the delegation would be travelling back to Ireland in the air taxi after the two-day visit. The service cost more than €36,000.
Earlier this month, the jet broke down forcing Mr Ahern to travel back to Ireland from Mexico on a commercial airliner.
The Taoiseach is with Minister of State for Trade at the Department of Enterprise, Mr Michael Ahern.
