The Transport Minister has promised to examine why taxpayers money is being used to provide VIP facilities at Dublin Airport for former and current office holders.

It emerged yesterday that almost €20,000 was spent on the facilities in the last six months of 2012 for former President Mary Robinson and European Commissioner Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

They used the facilities on 56 and 22 occasions respectively between July and December last, with the costs paid for from the Taoiseach's budget according to information supplied to the Irish Times.

In the second half of last year, the Department of An Taoiseach paid for the use of VIP facilities by Mr. Bertie Ahern on eight occasions at a cost of €2,186.

This payment related to 2011 as an end was brought to the provision of VIP services for former Taoisigh in December 2011.

Yesterday the Irish Times reported how the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) website carries a description of the VIP service as a "premier service, even if you're flying economy".

It goes on to describe how on arrival "we'll be at your aircraft waiting to drive you to our VIP suite. We'll assist you with the formalities of immigration and customs as quickly as possible and help with retrieving your baggage. It’s the perfect end to a busy trip or holiday."

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar says he was unaware of the expenditure and promised to have it examined.