Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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283. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the amount spent on Expo 2020 Dubai; the breakdown of costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30382/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Expo 2020, postponed due to Covid 19, is now scheduled to take place in Dubai from October 2021 to March 2022. Ireland’s participation in Expo was approved by Government decision in 2017, with the Department of Foreign Affairs nominated as lead Department.

192 countries are participating in what is expected to be one of the first large scale in-person events since the pandemic took hold. As we embark towards economic recovery, Expo will showcase Ireland to a global audience with significant potential to further develop trade, investment, education and tourism links.

Our efforts and engagement with Expo will reflect Government policy as set out in the Programme for Government, which speaks of an Ireland that is ‘ambitious, visible, and active in promoting the interests of our nation on the international stage.’ Our participation, a key deliverable of the Global Ireland initiative, is centred on the theme of Island of Inspiration. Through our programme, we will show how creativity drives human connection and community, on a global as well as a local scale. Significant focus will be on “Renewal” including economic recovery, health innovation and sustainability. Ireland’s programme will involve initiatives and events inside and outside our Pavilion, including strong participation within Expo’s Thematic Weeks.

There will be a significant multi-dimensional business strand to our programme, with focused trade missions taking place throughout EXPO.

The Irish Pavilion build is complete and in place. Designed by OPW architects, our Pavilion draws inspiration from both classical western and Islamic traditions.

This project remains within budget and a breakdown of expenditure to date is provided below, centred around the two main areas of the Pavilion and programming.