€50k wine bill hosting dignitaries for 7 years
Justin Trudeau visited
THE Department of Foreign Affairs spent more than €380,000 on catering and wine hosting foreign dignitaries in the past seven years, The Star can reveal.
Documents obtained and analysed by this newspaper show there were 212 events listed between January, 2015 and October, 2022.
During this time, the department spent €334,559.88 in total on catering costs.
This was spread across events such as working lunches and dinners, state and official visits, evening receptions, royal visits, farewell lunches, and working breakfasts.
A further €50,007.74 was spent on wine.
They said an individual breakdown of wine for each event was not available because “the Department holds a stock” and then “draws down” for each event when needed.
Events
The events listed were hosted in Iveagh House located near St Stephen’s Green with some visits involving catering in Farmleigh – the official Irish state guest house.
Over the seven years, officials held 72 “working lunches”, which cost €63,065.37.
One was for the US Congressional Delegation in 2019, when €1,928.41 was spent.
In another from 2017, the French Foreign Minister was listed as the guest of honour and the document shows €845.17 was forked out.
Also listed in the documents is Prince William and Kate’s visit to Ireland in March 2020. The catering costs for that Royal Visit come in at a staggering €21,906.96.
The department said: “Official hospitality plays an important role in the promotion of a positive image of Ireland internationally.”
TANAISTE Micheal Martin yesterday made a pilgrimage to a memorial to Irish peacekeepers killed in Lebanon and said he was determined to get justice for slain Private Sean Rooney.
He was speaking after he laid a wreath at the memorial in the southern Lebanese village of Tibnin to the 48 Defence Forces personnel who have died there since the Irish UN operation began in 1978.
“The Government is absolutely determined that all of the facts and circumstances of the incident are fully established and that no stone will be left unturned to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” he said.
Battalion
The Tanaiste, who is minister for Defence as well as Foreign Affairs, laid the wreath as part of his trip to Camp Shamrock, the Irish base in southern Lebanon which is currently home to the 338-strong 121st Infantry Battalion, of which Donegal-born Private Rooney (23) was a member when he was murdered in the village of Al-Aqbiya in December.
Cork-born Trooper Shane Kearney (22) survived the attack, but suffered serious head injuries and is recuperating in Ireland.
Lebanese authorities have now charged seven men over the fatal ambush of the UN jeep Private Rooney was driving – and Mr Martin said the
Government intends to see that justice is served.
The Tanaiste laid a wreath at the memorial to our lost soldiers – including Private Rooney, whose name was recently added.
Mr Martin, who was due to meet the Lebanese ministers for foreign affairs and defence several hours later, said he will “impress upon them the need to ensure that the Lebanese investigation is as thorough and complete as possible”.
The Fianna Fail leader previously visited the base during his term as Taoiseach. He told peacekeepers the death of Private Rooney, who was from Co Donegal, made returning even more important to him.
“Private Rooney’s death was a shocking reminder to all of Ireland of the risks taken by each and every one of you in discharging your duty and maintaining our country’s proud record and reputation,” he said.
“I’m conscious that all of you have lost a comrade and a friend. It is to your immense credit that, notwithstanding your personal loss, you have continued to perform with the professionalism we have come to expect from our Defence Forces.
Support
“Nonetheless, I would encourage you to reach out and seek support if you need it, especially when you return home. Support services are available, don’t hesitate to use them.
“You have come through a very difficult experience and you need to mind yourselves.”
Mr Martin also acknowledged those who were injured in the incident at Al-Aqbiya, particularly Trooper Kearney.
“We are all immensely grateful that Trooper Kear