Sir, – Regarding Darragh McDonagh’s article regarding expenses on luxury vehicles and armoured cars for EU delegations, I struggle to see the aim of the article beyond click-bait (“Ireland to spend €6.5m on luxury vehicles and armoured cars during EU presidency,” December 17th). These days I am struck by the sheer number of articles headlined “X to cost state Y million euro”, with little explanation as to why it might be worth spending that money on occasion. I think the €6.5 million spent on secure cars is a reasonable price to avoid the embarrassment of a security breach against a foreign dignitary on Irish soil; especially given the phone pouches cost €9 million. – Yours, etc,CONOR MAC DONNCHADHA,Dublin 7.

Source: The Irish Times December 20, 2025 13:20 UTC