The budget provision in the Vote for the Office of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform for the Irish Presidency, Vote 19, is €4.1 million. Expenditure to date for the management and operation of the business of the Irish Presidency, including pay and other costs associated with meetings during the six-month period from January to June 2004, is €2.4 million. This is in line with planned expenditure. It is not possible at this stage to give a detailed breakdown of the overall costs of the Irish Presidency in respect of Vote 19 as the maintenance of accounts is ongoing.
An additional €12.473 million was made available in the Garda Vote to take account of the increased policing and security workload associated with our hosting of the EU Presidency this year. Complete costs in relation to the involvement of the Garda Síochána in EU Presidency-related duties are not available at present. When all expenditure returns have been received and collated, a full costing of the operation will be made.