Five star Cullen ‘for security reasons.’

Expenses incurred by Sports Minister Martin Cullen’s Olympic appearances were ‘unavoidable,’ a Department spokesperson has said.

The Minister’s flights alone cost €17,000. This may seem a large sum, but a thirty second advertising spot on this year’s Late Late Toy Show will cost the same amount.

Mr Cullen travelled first class for every leg of his visit and all Government officials were booked into the five star China World Hotel on the advice of the Olympic organising committee. ‘I was merely following orders,’ the Waterford-man said.