The Government is to seek sponsorship from private companies to cover some of the costs of hosting the presidency of the EU for six months next year.

60-million euro will be spent on the presidency – but the Europe Minister Lucinda Creighton says costs will be cut significantly from the 90-million which was spent during the last presidency in 2004.

The government is to host 170 meetings – all of which will take place in state owned buildings in a bid to save money.

And Europe Minister Lucinda Creighton says the government is also seeking sponsorship to cover some of the costs.