Details of First Minister’s trip to Ireland: FOI release

Information requested

1. The cost of hosting the St Andrews Day reception at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin in November 2025. Please break this down by all costs involved including venue hire, catering, equipment, and any other costs.

2. A list of people/organisations who attended the St Andrews Day reception at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

3. The cost of the First Minister’s trip to Ireland in November 2025. Please break this down by all costs involved including return flights (including those for officials), accommodation, food, and any other costs.

4. A list of all people who accompanied the First Minister on his trip to Ireland in November 2025.

5. A list of all people/organisations the First Minister met with while in Ireland in November 2025.

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because exemptions under sections 27(1) (Future publication), 39(1) (Endangerment to health or safety), and 38(1)(b) (personal information) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions apply are in the Annex to this letter.

ANNEX A

27(1) (Future publication)

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in release because there is a  general interest in open and transparent government. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in upholding existing processes, which publish details of Ministerial travel and subsistence costs to all interested individuals at the same time on a monthly basis. Details of Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts will be published within the next 12 weeks and will be available when published at the links below: Ministerial engagements, travel and gifts - gov.scot.

If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from Scottish Ministers, special advisers and the Permanent Secretary are covered by the terms of the Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016. See www.lobbying.scot St Andrew's House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG www.gov.scot the website listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy.

39(1) (Endangerment to health or safety)

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test.’ Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is some public interest in the First Minister's travel arrangements, including who accompanies him. However, this is outweighed by the public interest in ensuring the safety of the First Minister.

38(1)(b) (personal information)

This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.

FOI 202500495817 - Information Released - Document

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