Junior transport minister criticised for private jet conference address 

In his speech to the meeting at the K Club in Co Kildare, Mr Lawless said "while often perceived as symbols of luxury, business aviation also serves critical functions" in terms of "efficiency and flexibility" and said aviation should become sustainable by 2050.

He added "business aviation contributes to the tourism industry by facilitating high-end travel experience, supporting local employment, and driving economic activity" and said while aviation emissions account for 2.5% of overall emissions, this "carries far-reaching impact as these emissions contribute to global warming and climate change".

However, the opposition has criticised the speech, with Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore saying the appearance was "yet another instance of Fianna Fáil talking out of both sides of their mouth when it comes to climate action".

We are in a climate emergency and the promotion of private jets for use by the elite and corporates is not something that any minister should be engaged in. It sends a very poor message, particularly when we are asking so much of ordinary people when it comes to climate action. 

"We need a Government that can show leadership in climate and Fianna Fail clearly isn't up to the task."

Outgoing People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said the next government should enact his party's bill to ban private jets.

"The minister's decision to not just attend, but speak at a private jet conference while the world heads towards climate disaster, while we see the extreme weather events in Spain, is very troubling.

"For example, one trip on a private jet to or from Ireland emits the same amount of carbon as the average person in Ireland does over the course of an entire year. 

"So this is the most polluting way to travel, and if we had a government that was serious about tackling climate change and doing so in a just manner, then it should pass our bill to ban private jet travel in Ireland, as opposed to seeking to promote it. 

Otherwise, the message goes out that that the rich can continue to pollute, while ordinary people suffer.

Sinn Féin's climate spokesperson Darren O'Rourke said his party would slap a €3,000 departure tax on private jets.

"It’s astounding that, instead of challenging the blatant inequality in private jet emissions, a government TD saw fit to address a private jet conference. This comes off the back of the news that Taoiseach Simon Harris spent €500,000 of taxpayers' money on private jets on a few short months makes it clear how it's one rule for them, another for the rest of us."

However, in a statement, Mr Lawless said the criticism was "a cheap shot".

"If those complaining had read my contribution, which I doubt they did, they’ll have seen that 80% of my speech related to sustainability and how Ireland can be part of the solution.

"Ireland holds a significant share of the global aviation leasing sector. We are also home to many, many multinationals who rely upon executive travel as part of their operating model.

"It really is a cheap shot and a lazy line of attack from members of the opposition, which displays a complete lack of understanding of the sector and its importance to the economy and country as a whole.”