Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon has outlined his department's budget for Ireland's EU presidency.

Minister Heydon said Ireland’s presidency of the Council of the EU 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 EU".

"The government has committed in the programme for government to resourcing and delivering a successful presidency," Minister Heydon said.

"In line with that commitment, the revised estimates for 2026 included an allocation of €3.317 million to my department to cover the estimated costs associated with the department’s responsibility for policy and operational planning for the EU presidency."

Meetings and events

In response to a question from Sinn Féin TD John Brady, the minister outlined the principal areas that expenditure is expected to arise for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), including €1.8 million for informal meetings and events in Ireland.

This includes the organisation and delivery of informal agriculture and fisheries council meetings, meetings of senior EU working party officials, and presidency-related conferences and associated events, Minister Heydon said.

He outlined a potential expenditure of €1.25 million for travel and subsistence, which includes official travel undertaken in support of presidency duties, and subsistence costs incurred in accordance with standard civil service rates.

Overtime

€160,000 is expected for overtime arising from extended working hours associated with the preparation and delivery of presidency events and meetings.

Expenditure of €107,000 has been outlined for other hospitality and IT costs associated with presidency events and meetings, in line with government guidelines, including incoming visits from EU delegations and IT systems to support the organisation of presidency meetings and events.

Minister Heydon said DAFM is "meeting presidency staffing requirements primarily from within existing resources".

Gifts and merchandise

Minister Heydon said it is "customary for modest mementos to be given to strengthen goodwill and promote domestic craftsmanship during the presidency".

"My department has organised small gifts of Irish chocolates to be distributed at council and working party meetings in Brussels, and at the EU presidency events in Ireland," he said.

"With regard to branded merchandise, my department has procured a small number of presidency-branded polo shirts, to be used by staff within my department at EU presidency events."

There are a number of events that will be hosted by DAFM during the EU presidency, including a meeting of the Special Committee on Agriculture, a meeting of EU organic ambassadors, European Mission Soil Week 2026, and the Global Bioeconomy Summit.

Ireland holds the presidency from July 1 until December 31, 2026.

The Council of the EU is one of the EU’s main decision-making institutions, representing governments of the 27 EU member states.