Tánaiste Micheál Martin’s four-day Consultative Forum on International Security Policy could cost nearly €200,000 to hold.
The Irish Mirror has learned that the forum’s chairperson Louise Richardson could be paid up to nearly €23,000 for her work.
The Tánaiste, who is also the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Defence, announced his intention to convene the Consultative Forum on International Security Policy to "start a discussion on Ireland’s foreign and security policy".
A wide range of topics will be discussed over four days at events in Cork, Galway and Dublin, including cyber threats, the triple lock and the implications of the war in Ukraine on Irish security. A number of Irish and international panellists will take part in the discussions.
READ MORE: President Michael D Higgins apologises to Professor Louise Richardson over 'throwaway remark'
The forums will be chaired by Professor Louise Richardson. The Irishwoman, originally from Tramore, previously served as Vice-chancellor of the University of Oxford. Her biography for the forum states that she is "recognised internationally as an expert on terrorism".
In response to queries from The Irish Mirror, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform confirmed that it had sanctioned payment of €650 per day for Prof Richardson. This will be capped at 35 days, meaning that she could earn up to €22,750.
It brings the estimated cost of the event to nearly €200,000.
Mr Martin confirmed in a parliamentary question to Independent TD Catherine Connolly that hosting the events could cost approximately €174,000.
The Tánaiste noted that it was too early to give a final cost but provided figures that "reflect a broad estimate of costs with contingencies built-in".
This includes €35,000 for technical and audiovisual equipment, €20,000 for venue set-ups and €40,000 for catering. Flights are expected to cost €15,000, while accommodation is also expected to cost €15,000.
Some €40,000 is expected to be spent on communications, stationery, printing and branding, while €5,000 is expected to be spent on subsistence and other vouched costs. An additional €4,000 could be spent on transport.
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said that the forum will " hear from the almost 80 different participants from a wide range of backgrounds and with a variety of expertise and experience, including in peacekeeping, peacebuilding, arms control and disarmament and conflict resolution internationally, as well as in the fields of cyber security, disinformation, maritime security and critical infrastructure".
They said: "The participants are from all over the island of Ireland and from overseas including from Sweden, Finland, Norway, Switzerland, Poland, Belgium, Denmark, the US and the UK. Approximately half of the moderators or participants are based abroad.
"No participant will receive a payment to participate at the Forum. Travel and subsistence for Forum participants will be paid in accordance with the applicable Civil Service Travel and Subsistence rates."
The forum, which will begin on Thursday in Cork, has already found itself shrouded in controversy.
President Michael D Higgins was forced to apologise to Ms Richardson on Monday following comments he made during an interview with The Business Post.
He referred to her as a "person with a very large DBE – Dame of the British Empire". Ms Richardson was made a Dame in 2022 for her work on the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, as well as attracting more disadvantaged students to Oxford and St Andrews University.
A spokesman for the President implied that Mr Higgins’ comments related to the fact that each time she was mentioned, the letters DBE in a "bold typeface" appeared alongside Ms Richardson’s name.
"The President intended no offence by such a casual remark. He apologises for any offence which he may have inadvertently caused to Prof Richardson by what was a throwaway remark," he said.
President Higgins was also criticised for saying the Government is "drifting" towards NATO and warned that Ireland was "playing with fire" and must avoid "burying ourselves in other people’s agendas".
Asked about the President’s comments on Monday, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar avoided commenting on them directly but insisted "Ireland isn't going to join NATO".
Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless, who is a member of the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs criticised President Higgins’ comments.
He said: "I think, not for the first time, he has skirted the line of his office.
"I think his comments were unhelpful and I think they might not have even been fully informed.
"He talked about a 'dangerous drift'. I don’t see any dangerous drift. The only danger I see is a danger of complacency and inaction."
Former Defence Minister Willie O’Dea told The Irish Mirror that while he did not agree with President Higgins’ comments about funding for the Defence Forces, he agreed with his neutrality remarks.
He explained: "I saw myself first-hand the respect which we garnered abroad because of the fact we have a reputation as a neutral nation in military terms.
"When Irish troops go abroad, when they are trying to keep the peace between warring parties, trust is very important. A lot of people trust the Irish implicitly because we are known as a neutral nation.
"I don’t want to see neutrality abandoned by this country. I think there must be a referendum."
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