§ Lord Lairdasked Her Majesty's Government:
On how many occasions since 1998 the President of the Irish Republic has visited Northern Ireland; what was the total cost to the United Kingdom taxpayer of each visit; whether these visits were conducted with the full protocol required for a visiting head of state; and, if not, why not. [HL4552]
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe President of the Irish Republic has visited Northern Ireland on 62 occasions since 1998. Apart from the usual security requirements, any costs were borne by the 67WA organisations visited. The visits were classified as working or private visits or a combination of both and, as such, did not attract the full protocol afforded to state or guest of government visits.