Reports that the Ireland Fund's dinner for 200 people in Aras an Uachtarain last Sunday had been paid for by the Funds and not by their host, the President, Mrs McAleese, are somewhat exaggerated. Indeed, hopes that other groups can also and hold their functions in the Aras will not be realised.
The fact is that the President had planned and budgeted to hold 14 receptions or garden parties for various groups including schools and the elderly over a 10-week period. The Ireland Funds, meeting in Dublin this week, were invited for an evening reception to acknowledge the $100 million raised in the past 22 years and to announce their goal to raise $100 million in the next five years. A reception with finger food was planned, ending at 8 p.m. The Ireland Funds said that as many of the guests were only arriving that day from places as far afield as Australia they would be tired and hungry. They asked the Aras if the Funds could supplement the budget so a full meal could be offered. This was agreed. The Aras, as always intended, paid for the marquee, staff, entertainment, drinks and most of the food - 80 per cent of the bill. The Ireland Funds paid the additional couple of thousand to upgrade the meal.