The cost to the State of hosting the presidency of the European Union is expected to reach over €60 million, new figures reveal.
Estimate figures released by the Department of Finance to The Irish Times yesterday show that total spending for the presidency is expected to reach €60.24 million by the time of its conclusion at the end of this month.
However, a department spokesman confirmed that the figures are estimates and the bill could be higher when the final tally is done.
Of the €60.2 million figure, €8.5 million will have been spent on security and policing during the six months. This figure includes the cost of the large Garda presence in the capital on May 1st.
The Department of Foreign Affairs was the largest spender, clocking up €25 million on EU presidency events so far in 2004. This is in addition to the €10.75 million spent by Mr Cowen's department on the presidency in 2003.
The costs were yesterday criticised by Fine Gael and Labour. The Fine Gael finance spokesman, Mr Richard Bruton, said while everyone accepts there is a cost to hosting the European Presidency, there appeared to be a high number of informal meetings that could certainly be called into question. "It's difficult to say what value was gotten from all those informal meetings for that price." he said.
The Labour Party Finance spokesperson, Ms Joan Burton, accused the Government of political opportunism.
"Quite frankly I'm gob-smacked. It is clear that in order to achieve electoral advantage the Government significantly increased the number of meetings in ministers' constituencies."
The Department of Foreign Affairs defended the allocation of funding.
A spokesman said: "The funding for the EU presidency was outlined in this year's budget.
"While the figure of €25 million is the amount set aside for the presidency, we won't find out the exact break-down of that spending for some time."
The Department of Arts, Sport & Tourism spent €4.9 million during the period while the Department of Community, Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs spent just €300,000.
The Taoiseach's department was allocated €1.7 million for the duration of the Presidency while the Tánaiste's department is expected to spend €3.12 million.
Both Fine Gael and Labour voiced concern over the failure of the Office of Public Works (OPW) to "act properly" in tendering out events to private companies.