Michael McNamara: €293m Presidency spending must be cut
Michael McNamara, MEP, criticised the scale of spending for the Irish EU Presidency, arguing the €293 million package is excessive and calling for cuts. He highlighted wasteful line items, including €135,000 allocated for so-called 'wolf scarves', while praising the unseen work of Irish civil servants.
Michael McNamara set out his central objection: as Ireland assumes leadership of the EU budget it must lead by example. He urged ministers to 'try to do more with less, not less with more' and to re-evaluate large expenditures on the Presidency.
McNamara acknowledged the long hours and detailed work of Irish civil servants who will deliver the Presidency behind the scenes. He asked that their contribution be remembered and their tasks supported even as political scrutiny focuses elsewhere.
The MEP argued for targeted investment in beleaguered defence forces while emphasising that investment must not mean abandoning Ireland's role as a neutral, non-aligned state. Budget discipline, he said, must guide both defence spending and Presidency costs.
McNamara singled out specific items he described as unnecessary, most notably €135,000 for 'wolf scarves' described as 'uniquely Irish artistic character'. He questioned the necessity of such purchases at a time of high overall expenditure and public scrutiny.
Presidency spending and priorities
Michael McNamara set out his central objection: as Ireland assumes leadership of the EU budget it must lead by example. He urged ministers to 'try to do more with less, not less with more' and to re-evaluate large expenditures on the Presidency.
Recognition of civil servants
McNamara acknowledged the long hours and detailed work of Irish civil servants who will deliver the Presidency behind the scenes. He asked that their contribution be remembered and their tasks supported even as political scrutiny focuses elsewhere.
Defence, neutrality and budget discipline
The MEP argued for targeted investment in beleaguered defence forces while emphasising that investment must not mean abandoning Ireland's role as a neutral, non-aligned state. Budget discipline, he said, must guide both defence spending and Presidency costs.
Controversial line items
McNamara singled out specific items he described as unnecessary, most notably €135,000 for 'wolf scarves' described as 'uniquely Irish artistic character'. He questioned the necessity of such purchases at a time of high overall expenditure and public scrutiny.
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Transcript
Is éith pársant aguit an lá seo a thíosach, gríomh gach a bhfáirt agus gan Airí leat. The success of the Irish Presidency will be built on long hours by countless Irish civil servants, far from today's limelight and that of recent days, and I think we should remember their work and wish them success as well in their important tasks. As we assume leadership of the EU budget, we must lead by example. Try to do more with less, not less with more. We need to invest in our beleaguered defence forces, but that does not mean abandoning the proud role of neutral, non-aligned states and our place among them. Instead, we are spending €293 million on this Presidency. It is far too much thíosach. Pull back on it. It is not necessary. Included in that is €135,000 for wolf scarves to be of uniquely Irish artistic character, but not necessarily Irish wool. It is 30 degrees outside thíosach. When it does cool down, everybody around here is well capable of buying their own scarves.