The Government is to spend €135,000 on wool scarves to give to European dignitaries when Ireland takes on the EU presidency later this year. From July 1, Ireland will assume the EU presidency for the first time since 2013. It will come at a significant cost to the State as it plays host to numerous high-level meetings and must cover security costs throughout the presidency. In its request for the scarves, it said the programme for the presidency includes a series of meetings and events. It comes as the Taoiseach held a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Tuesday to discuss preparations for the EU presidency.

Source: Irish Examiner March 10, 2026 14:16 UTC