FOREIGN DIGNITARIES WHO are planning on paying a visit to Ireland will be pleased to know that they probably won’t leave empty handed.
We don’t let ourselves down in the gift giving department.
Over the past 13 months the government we have dished out a selection of Celtic-themed finery to a range of high-profile names coming in from overseas.
Through information released under the Freedom of Information Act TheJournal.ie can reveal exactly who got what and how much it cost the taxpayer.
Paul Ryan – US Congressman
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan made the trip back in March and got a set of oval Celtic knot design cufflinks that cost €55.
The Republican politician was Mitt Romney’s running mate when he contested the US Presidential election in 2012 and has strong Irish roots, having previously spoken about his family moving to the United States during the famine.
Manuel Valls – French Prime Minister
Back in April French PM Manuel Valls paid us a visit, and for his trouble he got a large (23cm) engraved crystal bowl that cost €67.65.
During his visit, which coincided with the European crisis over the Greek economy, Valls praised Ireland for its economic recovery.
Li Keqiang – Chinese Premier
Premier Li made a two-day visit to Ireland in May of this year with the aim of strengthening tourism and trade links between Ireland and China.
Greasing the cogs, him and his wife were presented with a pretty impressive stash. He was presented with a Children of Life Sculpture that came to €199.95 and the book Tales of Old Ireland which came to €15.80.
His wife Cheng Hong – an English professor at the Capital University of Economic and Business in Beijing – was presented with a special volume of the Yeats Poetry Collection, which came to €100.
Ban Ki-moon – UN Secretary-General
Back in May UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon paid us a visit, picking up his award at the Tipperary Peace Convention.
And that wasn’t all he got.
The South Korean dignitary also left with a bronze Children of Lir sculpture. Unlike French PM’s Manuel Valls statue, Ban’s one had an engraved base and cost a little bit less at €155.94.
Dr Ali Larjani – Iranian philosopher and chairman of the Parliament of Iran
Highly-respected Iranian statesman Ali Larjani visited back in June.
During his visit he met with Irish officials, with whom he spoke about Iran’s nuclear programme.
During his visit he got a 12.5cm engraved bowl that cost the taxpayer €16.26.
Joachim Gauck – President of Germany
German President Joachim Gauck was on these shores back in July. During his visit he was present at a human rights roundtable with Michael D Higgins and also laid a wreath in the Garden of Remembrance.
For his troubles he received a large crystal engraved bowl that came to €67.65.
Narendra Modi – Prime Minister of India
Another crystal bowl.
That’s what Indian PM Narendra Modi got when he stopped by last September. During the historic visit – the first by and Indian head of state for more than 50 years – he met with Taoiseach Enda Kenny and spoke with members of the Indian-Irish community.
The bowl he received came adjourned with a harp logo and cost €49.95.
How much did this cost us in total?
So, here is what we’ve spent since January last year:
Which gives us a grand total of €728.20 worth of gifts given out.
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