The Government has agreed a series of sponsorship deals worth millions of euros for the provision of goods and services during the six-month EU presidency.
Eircom, Audi, Tipperary Spring Water and Kerrygold have been chosen by the Government as the four main sponsors, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, said today.
Between them, Eircom and Audi will supply goods and services worth some €5 million, while Tipperary and Kerrygold will also provide their products free of charge to the Government for 170 meetings beginning in January.
Eircom will provide "an end to end communications solution including unprecedented levels of voice, data and Internet connectivity", the company said. Audi will be responsible for the transport of visiting dignitaries and ministers. Drivers will be supplied by the Defence Forces, the Garda and Murray Car Hire.
Audi also provided sponsorship for the recent Greek and Danish presidencies
At a press conference announcing the deals, Mr Cowen said: "As well as the benefit to the sponsoring companies, there will be significant savings for the taxpayer - it is a win-win situation for all."
Mr Cowen said there was no question of the sponsorship arrangements "in any way compromising the conduct of the Government in the course of the presidency, or in any other fashion".
