The Battle Over Business Class
On my recent transatlantic trip I headed for the cheap seats and a government official headed for the comfy ones. I just assumed that was the way it was. But now, skimming through this week's written answers, I see that there's internecine strife between the Executive parties over ministers' use of business class.
Sinn Fein's Daithi McKay has been asking other parties' ministers how far they have flown on business class. The DUP's Simon Hamilton has responded by asking Sinn Fein ministers the same thing. The SDLP's Margaret Ritchie has answered the same question from both MLAs.
So far as I can tell the business class league table since May 2007 is as follows (I shall update this when I get hold of any answers from other ministers):
1. DFM Martin McGuinness 7 business class flights Β£13,540
2. DSD Min. Margaret Ritchie 15 business flights Β£8,322 (plus 5 economy)
3. Junior Min. Gerry Kelly 6 business flights Β£5,678 plus 520 Euros
4. Finance Min. Peter Robinson 14 business flights Β£4,340
5. Environment Min. Arlene Foster 5 business flights Β£1,522
6. Health Min. Michael McGimpsey 4 business flights Β£1,210
7. Agriculture Min. Michelle Gildernew 1 business flight Β£310
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