Written Answers Nos. 1802-1822
1802. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the office rental costs per annum for staff in his Department and for each agency or organisation under his remit, in each of the years between 2015 and 2025 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74441/25]
View answerThe office rental costs per annum for staff in my Department, in each of the years between 2015 and 2025 inclusive, are set out in tabular form below. The information provided may include rental figures for properties that are not exclusively office space. Some values may reflect mixed use or alternative property types for example inspection bays in border control posts at our ports.
2015 €892,445.36
2016 €545,835.65
2017 €684,017.21
2018 €822,307.14
2019 €650,555.83
2020 €4,706,808.98
2021 €2,700,198.85
2022 €2,320,055.72
2023 €2,145,411.61
2024 €2,920,216.78
2025 €2,906,284.73
As regards the 13 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
1803. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to promote grants for installing solar panels on farm buildings in rural areas; if he will consider allowing all grant recipients to sell surplus electricity back to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74500/25]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3), which is EU co-funded, provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings.
The Solar Capital Investment scheme is one of the measures in TAMS, which provides support to farmers wishing to invest in renewable energy, thereby reducing their dependence on fossil fuels. The objective of the scheme is to enable farmers to consume solar PV-generated electricity onsite to meet their farm electricity demand, including the dwelling house. In order to encourage the purchase of solar investments, the solar scheme is ring-fenced with its own investment ceiling of €90,000, and grant-aided at the enhanced rate of 60%.
Under the current EU regulations and under the CAP Strategic Plan, it is required that the electricity generated annually from the installed solar PV system does not exceed the annual electricity demand of the farmyard, including the dwelling house.
There may be occasions, however, over a 12-month period when the electricity generated will surpass the farmyard/dwelling house demand. In these cases, the surplus electricity is spilled over to the grid and it is permissible for the farmer to receive remuneration for the quantity that spills over. This spillover of generated electricity is paid for under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), which is available to all renewable generators, including farmers. The price for the spillover electricity is set by the energy provider under the Clean Export Guarantee.
As part of the TAMS application, an ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holding's annual electricity demand and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development. An application may be rejected or amended if the applicant cannot demonstrate that the electricity produced annually from the solar panels is not in excess of the annual electricity demand of the applicant’s agricultural holding. The maximum size of panel eligible for grant aid currently is 62kW. An applicant can install additional panels but at their own cost.
1804. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the payroll cost of his Department and of each organisation or agency under its remit individually, in 2015 to 2025, by year, in tabular form. [74619/25]
View answerThe requested payroll costs for 2015 through 2024 are included in the table. Payroll costs for 2025 are not yet available as the 2025 Appropriation Account has not been completed.
|
Total Payroll Cost |
DAFM |
Teagasc |
Bord Bia |
Marine Institute |
BIM |
SFPA |
|
2015 |
€156,064,026.97 |
€39,304,165.00 |
€8,067,910.00 |
€6,999,754.00 |
########### |
€6,629,925.00 |
|
2016 |
€151,995,000.00 |
€41,228,000.00 |
€8,363,000.00 |
€7,167,000.00 |
########### |
€7,176,000.00 |
|
2017 |
€156,146,000.00 |
€42,099,000.00 |
€8,888,000.00 |
€7,334,000.00 |
########### |
€6,999,000.00 |
|
2018 |
€165,675,000.00 |
€44,208,000.00 |
€9,655,000.00 |
€7,751,000.00 |
########### |
€7,018,000.00 |
|
2019 |
€180,647,000.00 |
€48,417,000.00 |
€11,729,305.93 |
€8,369,999.00 |
########### |
€8,481,000.00 |
|
2020 |
€192,780,000.00 |
€49,680,000.00 |
€12,958,000.00 |
€8,610,000.00 |
########### |
€8,817,000.00 |
|
2021 |
€211,227,000.00 |
€51,548,000.00 |
€13,444,000.00 |
€8,996,000.00 |
########### |
€10,004,000.00 |
|
2022 |
€226,307,000.00 |
€55,727,000.00 |
€13,984,000.00 |
€9,714,000.00 |
########### |
€11,487,000.00 |
|
2023 |
€238,699,000.00 |
€59,566,000.00 |
€14,946,000.00 |
€10,410,000.00 |
########### |
€12,562,000.00 |
|
2024 |
€252,794,000.00 |
€63,409,000.00 |
€16,279,000.00 |
€11,101,000.00 |
########### |
€13,883,000.00 |
|
2025 |
N/A* |
N/A* |
N/A* |
N/A* |
N/A* |
N/A* |
*We do not have the 2025 figures yet as these will only be sourced when we are compiling the 2025 Appropriation Account.
1805. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the cross-departmental working group focused on navigating the complexities of State aid rules to create a capital funding scheme for non-SMEs in the seafood processing sector. [74641/25]
View answerA Working Group, comprising senior officials from DETE, DAFM, Enterprise Ireland and BIM was formed in October 2025 to consider the investment needs of large enterprises (non-SME) in the seafood processing sector.
The group has met twice, and is considering the investment needs of large seafood processors in the context of:
• enterprise policy generally
• the policy objectives for development of that sector
• the development of Ireland’s bioeconomy
• the EU state aid framework.
• the current funding landscape at both national and EU level, including opportunities that are likely to emerge under the new EU Competitiveness Fund which will be implemented under the EU MFF for 2028 – 2034
The group has identified that there may be value in developing a scheme to provide grant-aid investment funding to non-SME seafood processors to support targeted investment focused on innovation and diversification, with the objective of improving the economic and environmental sustainability and resilience of the sector.
A business case for such a scheme is currently being prepared by the Working Group. Once finalised it will be submitted to myself and my colleague Minister Peter Burke respectively for approval, following which the Working Group will engage with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. The sanction of that Department will be required prior to engaging with the EU Commission in relation to the state aid basis for any scheme we may seek to advance.
1806. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will engage with Coillte to ascertain the reason they disengaged from a long-term lease at a location (details supplied); if he will examine measures to ensure that public access to the forest is permitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74724/25]
View answerThe forest in question was managed by Coillte as part of a leasehold agreement for many years and Coillte allowed for the public to have access under the company’s open forest policy.
I have made enquiries with Coillte and the company has informed me that, in December 2021, it relinquished its leasehold and as a result, the management of the forests moved back to the owners of the estate. The relevant Local Authority and other key stakeholders, including local public representatives, were made aware of this matter in November 2021.
It is important to keep in mind that there is no general right to roam in this State, and it is the owner, or occupier, of privately owned lands who has the right to consent to who may enter. This is different to publicly owned lands where there are extensive parts of the country to which the public effectively has access and can roam. This is also the case for many of the forests that form part of the Coillte estate.
Coillte has informed me that it is committed to working with the local community in the area concerned to further develop recreational access to Coillte-owned lands in the surrounding vicinity in the future.
1807. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration was given to assessing the human health impacts of extending the nitrates derogation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74788/25]
View answerIreland’s Nitrates Derogation is based on scientific criteria as set out in Annex 3 to the Nitrates Directive (Directive 91/676/EEC). Ireland’s system of farming is closely aligned with the criteria in the Directive.
Irish water quality compares favourably with our European counterparts, however we all must recognise that ongoing improvement in Irish water quality is required.
To protect human health the EU Drinking Water Directive (Directive (EU) 2020/2184) sets the limit for Nitrate (NO3) at 50mg/l, which is derived from the Nitrates and Groundwater Directives. Ireland largely meets this standard, with the EPA reporting only one out of 178 groundwater monitoring sites as having an average nitrate concentration greater than 50 mg/l NO3 in 2024. Water at that site is appropriately treated to ensure the provision of safe drinking water.
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of measures proposed under the Sixth Nitrates Action Programme, considered the impacts on human health associated with drinking water quality and air quality. It highlighted where there would be negative effects and proposed specific mitigation measures in response.
Securing the Nitrates Derogation was a key commitment and priority for this Government.
Significant work took place across Government to secure the derogation. However, it is important to also recognise the work taking place at farm level and across the agri-food industry to reduce agriculture's impact on water quality.
We now have to build on that momentum to improve water quality and secure a sustainable future for Irish agriculture. As part of this, my colleague Minister Browne has signed the Regulations adopting the Sixth Nitrates Action Programme which came into effect on 1st January 2026. This has strengthened the protections for water quality introduced under Ireland’s last Nitrates Action Programme.
1808. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of data breaches recorded by his Department in 2025; and the number that were reported to the Data Protection Commissioner. [74888/25]
View answerThe General Data Protection Regulation (EU Reg 2016/679) requires, in Article 33, that the Data Controller [the Department] should notify the supervisory authority of a data breach “unless the personal data breach is unlikely to result in a risk to the rights and freedoms of natural persons”(GDPR Article 33(1)).
My Department has established procedures on how to deal with data breaches and has a Data Protection Unit in place to provide assistance and to act as a centralised point of contact for all Departmental communications with the supervisory authority, i.e. the Data Protection Commission.
The Data Protection Commission has guidance documentation in place to provide assistance in relation to the reporting of data breaches, under GDPR. My Department operates in accordance with the recommendations within this guidance material.
The following are the figures the Deputy requested in relation to Data Breaches:
|
Year |
2025 |
|
Number of Data Breaches logged within the Department |
80 |
|
Number of Data Breaches reported to the Data Protection Commission |
7 |
1809. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of WTE Forestry Inspector Grade 1 and Forestry Inspector Grade 2 posts that were filled within his Department as of 5 December 2025; if he will provide same figures as of 1 December 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74920/25]
View answerThe table below outlines the data from the closest available extraction dates for the positions filled within the Department as of 5 December 2025 and as of 1 December 2022 for the requested grades.
|
Grade |
28.11.22 |
01.12.25 |
|
|
WTE |
WTE |
|
FORESTRY INSPECTOR GRADE 1 |
14.6 |
15 |
|
FORESTRY INSPECTOR GRADE 2 |
11 |
18 |
My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its business needs and utilises workforce planning to identify and address these requirements throughout the organisation.
1810. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the WTE staff by job title posts that are currently filled at the regional veterinary office based in Raphoe, County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74921/25]
View answerThe table below outlines the WTE staff by job title posts that are currently filled at the regional veterinary office based in Raphoe, County Donegal as of 04/01/2026.
|
Location Category |
Location |
Job Title Description |
WTE |
|
RVO |
Donegal Regional Off. Raphoe |
Assistant Agricultural Inspector |
4 |
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
14 |
My Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its business needs and utilises workforce planning to identify and address these requirements throughout the organisation.
1811. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine whether he will expedite the ban on surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74959/25]
View answerThe Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) announced in April 2024 that it had updated its Code of Professional Conduct for Veterinary Practitioners to prohibit veterinarians from carrying out surgical artificial insemination in dogs due to ethical and welfare considerations. However, this new prohibition does not apply to greyhounds, as the practice is provided for in legislation under the Artificial Insemination of Greyhound Regulations 2005.
The report of the Working Group on Control of Dogs, which was approved by Government in March 2023, and has been published online at [gov.ie - Working Group on Control of Dogs (www.gov.ie)], includes a recommendation that surgical artificial insemination in canines be prohibited, where the word canine encompasses all breeds of dogs.
In 2024, my Department held a public consultation on whether the practice of carrying out surgical artificial insemination in greyhounds should be banned or not and the results of the public consultation are now available on [Animal Welfare (www.gov.ie)].
My Department is closely examining this issue and will be providing advice on an appropriate course of action in the near future.
1812. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to respond to query (details supplied) regarding slurry storage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74963/25]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. One of the key objectives of this scheme is to provide improved nutrient storage facilities, which is a key factor in delivering improved sustainability in the farming sector.
In January last year, I introduced an enhanced grant rate and a dedicated ring-fenced ceiling for Nutrient Storage investments under TAMS 3. This 60% grant rate is open to all farmers, who submit applications in respect of slurry storage through the following TAMS 3 sub schemes; Animal Welfare Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Organic Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmer Capital Investment Scheme and Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme.
The new planning exemptions are now in place for nutrient storage facilities. This allows for the construction of a tank of up to 1,000m3, with an aggregate limit of 1,500m3 on the holding without the requirement for planning permission. I am confident that this measure, together with the TAMS supports already available, will encourage farmers to invest in their nutrient storage facilities, which will in turn have a positive impact on water quality and overall emissions from the sector.
1813. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74975/25]
View answerI would like to commend the Irish Grown Wool Council and its partners for securing the hosting of the European Wool Day 2026 in Tralee. This event will encourage the cross fertilisation of ideas and methodologies between the Irish Wool Sector and counterparts from all across Europe.
The main aims of the Irish Grown Wool Council include are the development of standards and traceability for Irish wool, better awareness and training on wool handling and presentation and promotion of the Irish Grown Wool Brand. European Wool Day 2026 is further evidence of the great work the Irish Grown Wool Council is doing to reach its aims and raise the profile of Irish Wool and the Wool Sector.
Events like the European Wool Day and research projects such as the SPRING WOOL project, to which my Department has allocated €574,000, will help develop opportunities that will realise the potential of wool as a valuable natural, sustainable and versatile material.
1814. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to request an emergency meeting with the European Commission, the Fisheries Commissioner and the Trade Commissioner to debate the consequences of the cuts to Ireland’s Fishing Quotas [74978/25]
View answer1816. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to request an emergency meeting with the European Commission, the Fisheries Commissioner and the Trade Commissioner to debate the consequences of the savage cuts to Ireland's fishing quotas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74985/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1814 and 1816 together.
The outcomes of this year's December Fisheries Council will unfortunately result in severely reduced fishing opportunities for Irish fishermen and women in 2026, the most significant being the reduction in Mackerel quota.
The scientific advice, upon which the EU bases its decisions on quota setting, reflects the impact of overfishing of the Mackerel stock by certain Third Countries.
Ireland has repeatedly raised the overfishing of Mackerel by certain Coastal States outside the EU over recent years and has called for the EU to take a strong position to protect this valuable stock.
I will continue to highlight this critical issue for our fishers, and to engage intensively with stakeholders, with the European Commissioner for Fisheries and with other Member States on possible actions to protect our stocks.
With the support of Minister Heydon, I am establishing a working group under the auspices of Food Vision 2030 to develop a framework of supports for the sector to address the substantial challenges currently facing the sector.
1815. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to request an emergency meeting with the European Commission, the Agriculture Commissioner and the Trade Commissioner to debate the consequences of the Mercosur trade deal for Irish farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74984/25]
View answerThe Government has been very clear about Ireland’s concerns in relation to the EU-Mercosur Agreement and has expressed these consistently over a number of years, particularly in relation to the Agreement's potential impact on the beef sector, the strength of its climate and sustainability commitments, and the food safety and environmental standards enforced by Mercosur countries.
Since I took up the role as Minister, I have met with my like-minded EU counterparts to discuss these concerns. I have also raised them at every opportunity at Agri-Fish Council in Brussels. Last Wednesday, I was again able to do so at the extraordinary EU Agriculture Ministers’ meeting with Commissioners Hansen, Sefcovic and Varhelyi.
While improvements have been made to the overall Agreement, including through the proposed regulation on safeguards, we continue to have significant concerns relating to the standards under which imports would be produced, and the impact that this Agreement could have on farming incomes.
Ultimately, the Government has concluded that the recent additional commitments were not sufficient to satisfy these concerns. We have therefore followed through on our commitment under the Programme for Government and voted against the EU-Mercosur Agreement.
1817. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of projects in his Department that were delayed in 2023 and 2024 due to the change of document from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75102/25]
View answerI can confirm that no projects were delayed in 2023 and 2024 as a result of a change to the document from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines.
1818. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 734 of 9 December 2025, if he is satisfied that this post given its independent position, sufficiently allows for employment equality in view of its confinement to those in the civil service. [75170/25]
View answer1840. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 734 of 9 December 2025, his views on whether the job competition referred to is in compliance with equality and employment legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1208/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1818 and 1840 together.
I refer the Deputy to my response to Parliamentary Question No. 734 of 9th December 2025, in which I stated the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001 confines the appointment to the position of Director of Agriculture Appeals to a person holding a position within the Civil Service. I am satisfied that this complies with equality and employment legislation and that it sufficiently allows for employment equality.
Also, as previously stated, while the 2001 Act does not set out an academic requirement, the post is a senior management post and is filled having regard to the candidate having a range of additional competencies appropriate to the role.
1819. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the salary scale that applies to the Secretary General in his Department and to the head of each agency for which they are responsible; whether this scale has changed in the past two years or whether there are proposals to change this scale in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75188/25]
View answerThe salary scale that applies to the Secretary General in my Department is Secretary General Level II. This scale has not changed in the last two years other than in line with general round increases under the Public Sector Agreement 2024-2026. All civil service pay scales are set by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.
The salaries of the CEOs of state bodies under the aegis of my Department are publicly available in the State Bodies’ latest Annual Reports.
The salaries of the CEOs of Non Commercial State Bodies are subject to increases under the Public Service Agreement 2024-2026.
The salaries of CEOs in the Commercial State Bodies have been subject to review under the Senior Posts Remuneration Committee (SPRC) whose report was published in March 2025. On foot of this review my Department received requests for CEO salary increases from the Board of Rasaiocht Con Eireann, Horse Racing Ireland, Coillte and the Irish National Stud.
The requests in respect of the CEO salaries of Rasaiocht Con Eireann, Horse Racing Ireland and Coillte are currently being considered by me.
On foot of the request from the Board of the Irish National Stud, the base salary of the CEO was increased to €170,000 from €110,569, effective from 29 December 2025.
1820. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department, and within each agency for which he is responsible, for 2022 to 2024, by year and budgeted for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75206/25]
View answerMy Department provides public information about the Department's wide range of schemes, services and policies. This includes public information campaigns which focus on building awareness and engagement in the areas of farm safety, forestry and animal welfare.
This expenditure also includes the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements. My Department uses a media buying agency to place advertising.
A breakdown of expenditure by year is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
|
2022 |
€741,490.98 |
|
2023 |
€1,922,209.87 |
|
2024 |
€1,303,349.35 |
|
2025 |
€631,918.55 |
My Department is in the process of finalising business plans for 2026 and the Department’s advertising and promotional budget will be finalised when this has been completed.
As regards the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
1821. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of press, media or communications staff currently employed in his Department and within each agency for which he is responsible; the cost of these staff for 2025 and the expected cost for 2026; whether there are proposals to increase the number of such staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75224/25]
View answerMy Department currently has thirteen fulltime equivalent posts assigned to the Communications Unit, who are responsible for a range of duties, including the Press Office, Corporate Communications and Information Campaigns and Advertising. The staff in the Communications Unit report to the Head of Communications and Corporate Affairs Division.
The annual staffing costs for the Communications Unit in 2025 was €716,562.69. The expected annual costs for 2026 is approximately €890,500.12. It should be noted that the difference between 2025 and 2026 is due to variation in the dates on which posts were filled.
There are currently no proposals to increase the number of staff in the Communication Unit in 2026.
As regards the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.
1822. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 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. [75242/25]
View answerIreland will hold the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time from 1 July to 31 December 2026.
This will be an important opportunity for Ireland to lead and shape the European agenda, and the Government has made a firm commitment to resource and deliver a successful Presidency in 2026.
As Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, my Department has responsibility for the Agriculture and Fisheries Council and its associated preparatory bodies.
Expenditure arising relates primarily to the organisation and delivery of Presidency related meetings and events, including Informal Ministerial Meetings, Council Working Party Meetings, and associated logistical and administrative requirements.
The total estimated cost arising for my Department in 2026 in respect to Ireland’s Presidency is approximately €3,317,000.
The principal areas in which expenditure is expected to arise are:
1. Informal Meetings & Events in Ireland - €1,800,000
• Organisation and delivery of Informal Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meetings
• Organisation and delivery of meetings of Senior EU Working Party Officials
• Organisation and delivery of Presidency-related Conferences and associated events
2. Travel & Subsistence - €1,250,000
• Official travel undertaken in support of Presidency duties
• Subsistence costs incurred in accordance with standard civil service rates.
3. Overtime - €160,000
• Overtime arising from extended working hours associated with the preparation and delivery of Presidency events and meeting.
4. Other hospitality and IT costs not encompassed above - €107,000
• Other hospitality and IT costs associated with Presidency events and meetings, in line with Government guidelines, including incoming visits from EU delegations and IT systems to support the organisation of Presidency meetings and events.
My Department is meeting Presidency staffing requirements primarily from within existing resources.
It should be noted that the final outturn costs will depend on a range of factors, including operational requirements and the number and format of meetings and events held during the Presidency period.
All expenditure will be incurred in accordance with the Public Spending Code, public procurement rules and relevant Government circulars. My Department will continue to seek to minimise costs where possible, including through the use of existing facilities and shared service arrangements.
