The Foreign Office has spent almost €117,000 on VIP Platinum services at Dublin Airport in the last eighteen months, reports Breaking News.
The six-figure amount included 76 individual arrivals and departures, as well as a record donation of more than 17,500 euros for the visit of US President Joe Biden in April.
The private terminal includes personalized treatment with private check-in and security, relaxation, drinks and dining, and a chauffeur-driven car to and from the plane.
The State Department withheld details of some trips for national security reasons, while no costs were disclosed for trips related to the president’s office.
A list of payments describes how the ministry issued two separate invoices for €8,778 earlier this year to welcome President Joe Biden and his entourage to Ireland.
Other major bills included €5,961 for the visit of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in September last year and expenses of €8,778 for the state visit of Maltese President Dr George Vella in February.
There were also expenses of 5,699 euros for a high-level visit by the Luxembourg prime minister in July, 3,800 euros for a trip by the Portuguese president last November and 3,448 euros for the Dutch prime minister in May 2022, reports Breaking News.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs added: “This is in line with international standards of protocol practice, as well as serving practical and operational purposes. The use of airport VIP facilities mitigates risks to the security of foreign dignitaries travelling on official business to Ireland and ensures discretion. Swift transit through the airport also ensures that foreign dignitaries can maximise their official programmes in Ireland,” reports Breaking News.
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