EU Presidency

Thursday, 16 July 2026

Questions (200)

Ken O'Flynn

Question:

200. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether any external groups such as companies, consultancies, or NGOs have been paid to assist with managing Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union; and if she will disclose each organisation, their assigned roles, and the funds allocated to them, in tabular form. [54298/26]

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Written answers

Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union is an important opportunity for Ireland to shape Europe’s policy direction, lead important aspects of the EU’s work, and showcase Ireland’s engagement, expertise and values at the heart of the European Union. The Government has committed in the Programme for Government to resourcing and delivering a successful Presidency.

As part of this, Ireland is hosting high-level meetings including an informal meeting of the European Council and a summit meeting of the European Political Community, as well as a programme of 22 informal Council meetings at Ministerial level. More than 270 other Presidency meetings and events will also be hosted in Ireland.

To support the management of the Presidency across Government, my Department has procured key operational and logistical contracts to deliver the extensive programme of meetings in Ireland. My Department was provided with specific funding to cover these central costs in the Revised Estimates for 2026, given its central responsibility for coordinating and planning across Government.

The key organisational and logistical supports procured by my Department are set out in the table that follows. The costs provided are estimated costs and final costs will not be known until 2027, once all the work is complete and the final bills are paid. In the meantime, every effort is being made to ensure costs are being well managed across all areas.


Companies/consultancies/NGO	Role
Club Travel	OGP Travel Management Framework for the provision of accommodation services
Optimum Chauffeur Drive	Ground Transport Management Services Operator to provide ground transport management services
Enterprise Rent A Car	Lease of a core fleet of vehicles (40 cars, 44 minivans) for motorcade provision
Optimum Chauffeur Drive	Lease of armoured vehicles for specific meetings
Incert G.I.E.	Supplier of accreditation system including software, hardware and technical support
DG-SCIC	Supplier of simultaneous interpretation services for meetings