Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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No, it is fine. First, I thank our team in Japan for the work they have done. Indeed, the Taoiseach will visit the Expo next week. The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Deputy Burke, is there this week. It is expected that Expo will attract approximately 28 million visitors. As the Cathaoirleach said, it is taking place in Osaka in Japan. We believe participation provides an excellent platform for public diplomacy for Ireland because Ireland can still remain relatively unknown among the wider Japanese public. The Ireland pavilion has been operating at maximum capacity on a daily basis. We reckon that in excess of 6 million visitors have attended Expo already. The development of the Irish pavilion is a strong example of the Team Ireland’s approach because many Departments and State agencies have been involved. The visitor experience has been curated by the National Museum of Ireland and the National Concert Hall has overseen the cultural programme. As I say, there have been a number of ministerial programmes already. The overall approved budget for the programme is €16.8 million over the three years from 2023 to 2026. I am pleased to say that we completed our pavilion on time and within budget.

World expos are large-scale international events. The Cathaoirleach is right; we use the word "expo" as if everyone has an understanding of it. It is a large-scale international event held every five years. The 2025 World Expo opened in Osaka city, Japan, on 13 April and it will run for six months until 13 October 2025. Approximately 160 countries and international organisations are expected to participate.