Joe Higgins
Question:31. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost to the State of hosting the Presidency of the EU. [44571/12]
View answerWednesday, 14 November 2012
Questions (31, 32)
Seamus Kirk
Question:32. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the budget for the Irish Presidency of the EU Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50177/12]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 32 together.
An overarching focus of the Government in planning for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union during the first half of 2013 is to run an efficient and cost-effective Presidency. The Government decided in December 2011 to allocate a budget in the order of €60m over 2012 and 2013 to resource the Presidency, which excludes security costs. This budget is broadly in line with budgets for recent Presidencies and is less than the cost of the Irish Presidency in 2004 when taking all expenditure into account, the total cost was an estimated €110m.
An effectively managed Presidency will deliver long-term reputational benefits for Ireland. Short-term benefits include significant stimulus for the local economy from an influx of up to 15,000 delegates, press and representatives of NGOs who will use local services including hotels, restaurants, taxis etc. over the six month Presidency period. The use of Dublin Castle and a small number of other state-owned venues mainly in Dublin to host most Presidency meetings will reduce venue hire, transport and set-up costs, not to mention significantly reducing the “carbon footprint” of the Presidency.
The procurement of most logistical requirements for the Presidency is being centralised to reduce costs, reduce administrative burden, and increase efficiencies. Procurement is being carried out on a collaborative basis involving principally my Department, the Department of the Taoiseach, the National Procurement Service and the Office of Public Works. Purchasing is being conducted in a transparent and competitive basis in compliance with relevant EU and national rules.