Irish embassy in Beijing spends €624k on renovation

An outlay of almost €11,000 on garden and terrace furniture at the Irish embassy in Beijing has brought the total to €624,218 over the last two years.

The Department of Foreign Affairs, in response to a Freedom of Information request, revealed €10,990 had been spent on outdoor garden and terrace furniture at the embassy last November, and in December 2013.

The spend of €1,808 on the replacement of outdoor furniture in November was part of an €82,421 spending spree over 21 days in the lead-up to a week-long State visit by President Michael D Higgins to China.