Ireland’s expenditure on hosting the European Union Presidency has reached €75.2 million by the end of August, according to figures presented to the Dáil. This significant outlay, covering the first half of the presidency, reflects the scale and complexity of organizing such a high-profile and multifaceted event.
The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration accounted for the largest portion of the spending, with €26.3 million directed primarily towards additional policing and security measures. The Department of Foreign Affairs followed, incurring costs of €20.3 million, while the Office of Public Works spent €19.6 million.
To manage these expenses, the Irish government had initially set aside €300 million in the 2026 Estimates for the overall cost of hosting the presidency. Additionally, €125 million was allocated specifically to An Garda Síochána to cover security and related duties throughout the presidency’s duration.
During its EU Presidency, Ireland is hosting approximately 250 events, including ministerial meetings and gatherings of European leaders. The complexity and scale of these events contribute to the substantial costs involved. However, the final overall expenses are not expected to be fully known until 2027, after all events have concluded and final bills are settled.