€900k spent on Dublin Castle press centre to cover state visits

More than €900,000 was spent fitting out Dublin Castle to accommodate journalists covering the visits of President Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth.

Four improvement projects covered electrical facilities, mechanical equipment and building work for those reporting on the short stays in 2011.

The work was approved by the OPW to upgrade the press centre which was established in the former tribunal buildings in advance of last year’s high profile visits.