A Government minister has rejected claims that the fare of €800 per person for a chartered flight out of Dubai amid Middle East crisis was "a shakedown". Minister of State with responsibility for international development and the diaspora Neale Richmond said he was disappointed by the claim, which Senator Patricia Stephenson made. “I'm very, very disappointed to hear that from Senator Stephenson, someone I respect very much. This was the same when we did evacuation flights throughout covid,” Mr Richmond said. Mr Richmond said more than 300 people flew home on an Emirates flight last night, and a similar number are expected to travel today.

Source: Irish Examiner March 05, 2026 13:06 UTC