THE COST of the visits of Queen Elizabeth and President Barack Obama to Ireland could be in excess of €20 million, Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil.

The visits, he said, had generated more than 38,000 print and media pieces. “The estimated cost of that is about €300 million, not to mention the impact in terms of Ireland’s status and reputation and the global coverage that both visits received during that week.”

Replying to Joe Higgins (Socialist Party), the Taoiseach said the projected cost to his department of the Queen’s visit was approximately €11,000, with most of the expenditure relating to the catering and transport arrangements for the wreath-laying ceremony in the War Memorial Gardens in Islandbridge.

The projected cost to his department of President Obama’s visit was about €600,000, mostly spent on the organisation of the event in College Green. He anticipated that the US government would make some contribution towards the cost of that event.

“These costs must be seen in the context of the historic nature of the visits and the opportunities they presented, not only for trade, investment and tourism but also in enhancing Ireland’s international reputation and profile at a critical juncture.”

Mr Higgins suggested the Taoiseach ask the US government to pay the entire cost.