Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 January 2026
1700. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the estimated cost to his Department and to each agency for which they are responsible arising from Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; the line items or events for which a cost is expected to arise and the estimated cost for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75254/25]
View answer1701. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the priorities of his Department and each agency for which they are responsible for, in respect of Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75272/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1700 and 1701 together.
My Department is committed to playing its part in delivering a successful Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. This will be a significant undertaking for Ireland, particularly in the Justice and Home Affairs, and Transport, Telecommunications and Energy councils, which we are preparing for at Government and Departmental levels. The cross-departmental planning and coordination of this work, including the development of Ireland's Presidency priorities, is being led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach.
Work is currently underway within my Department to draft material to contribute to our national priorities including the priorities for the Member States, and the challenges we face. I expect the Presidency priorities to be published, following approval by Government, next June.
Under the estimates process for Budget 2026, my Department was allocated €5 million in respect of Presidency related costs. Of this, approximately €3.6m will be allocated to cover staffing costs, including in relation to increased numbers of personnel seconded to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union for 2026. The remaining €1.4m will cover the cost of the hosting of Presidency specific events in Ireland and Brussels, as well as additional travel and related costs for officials travelling to Brussels to attend and chair meetings. The substantial allocation reflects the scope of the intensive work which will be involved across a broad range of subjects. My Department is responsible for a larger number of working parties and other council preparatory bodies than any other Department, with the exception of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
An Garda Siochana will be responsible for the safety and security of all events hosted in Ireland during our Presidency, which will include 22 Ministerial level events, a meeting of the 27 Heads of State, and a meeting of the 47 Heads of State who make up the European Political Community as part of an overall programme of some 280 events.
This is a very significant undertaking and will involve significant additional overtime and related costs, additional training and equipment costs, as well as a requirement for the purchase of additional fleet and other specialist equipment. In addition, An Garda Síochána will also have an increase presence in Brussels for 2026 with two additional members now seconded to the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the EU and will incur additional travel and related costs for officials travelling to Brussels to attend and chair meetings. An Garda Síochána has been allocated €125 million for Presidency-related costs.
I am informed the Judicial Council will host one conference as part of the Presidency in late October in collaboration with the European Judicial Training Network (EJTN). The cost of the conference will be divided among a number of Government departments, the Judicial Council and the EJTN. Currently, it is estimated that the cost to the Judicial Council will be in the region of €33,200.
I have also been advised that the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will host of number of cyber related events during the Presidency, some in collaboration with the Department of Defence and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. These events are expected to cost in the region of €300,000, which includes a large-scale Conference for between 500 and 1,000 people.
I can assure the Deputy that all Presidency related costs will be monitored and that prudent financial planning will continue throughout to ensure value for money.
