Amid Ireland’s tenure as the holder of the rotating EU Presidency, the Irish government has disclosed spending €75.2 million through the end of August. This expenditure comes as part of the country’s responsibility to host numerous events and meetings over the six-month term, according to figures presented to the Dáil.
The largest share of this spending was incurred by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, which recorded €26.3 million. This significant amount is attributed primarily to additional policing and security measures required during the presidency. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs accounted for €20.3 million, and the Office of Public Works spent €19.6 million.
Looking ahead, the Irish government had earmarked a total of €300 million in the 2026 Estimates to cover the entire cost of hosting the EU Presidency. Additionally, €125 million has been allocated to An Garda Síochána specifically for security and related duties essential for the smooth operation of the presidency.
The presidency involves around 250 events, including high-profile ministerial meetings and gatherings of European leaders. While the current spending figures provide a snapshot of the financial outlay, final costs won’t be determined until 2027. This delay accounts for the settlement of outstanding bills and the completion of all scheduled events.