Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)

That is the ballpark figure. The detail of that will be expanded on as we get closer to the Presidency and the procurement process is completed. The ballpark figure is essentially the same as the cost of the Hungarian Presidency and the current Danish Presidency. The Polish Presidency had a bigger budget that will not be available to us, quite frankly. This is really about common sense. We have to ensure we do not over-extend ourselves as we try to maximise the potential of the Presidency. I am very excited about the Presidency because it will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase Ireland in Europe and Europe in Ireland, both of which are extremely important. I do not agree that having high-level informal meetings in places like Ashford Castle and Dromoland Castle is the way to showcase Europe in Ireland. There is very little benefit from holding such meetings in venues around the country. Perhaps they allow particular Ministers to boast that they have brought ministerial meetings to their own constituencies. The value of the contributions such meetings make to local economies is limited.

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