A new Irish embassy and diplomatic outpost in Tokyo was originally projected to cost €23.5 million but has already cost the taxpayer at least €35.2 million.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said their initial estimates were based on outdated construction costs and insisted the project had come in on time and under budget.
However, when Tokyo’s Ireland House was first proposed, a much lower cost was put forward, according to records that were released under FOI.
The site itself was purchased in the upmarket Shinjuku district of the Japanese capital for a sum of €7.74 million in 2017.
When legal fees, due diligence, and archaeological excavation costs were included, that rose to €8.54 million.
A briefing note said when the project was first mooted, it was hoped construction could be completed for a price “in the region of €15 million.”
However, the latest figures show the design and build of the landmark Ireland House has cost €26.7 million to date, with some invoices still outstanding.
The Department of Foreign Affairs defended the expenditure, saying the original estimate was based on figures that were no longer realistic by the time the project was given the green light.
A spokeswoman explained: “At the time of site purchase in 2017, an early indicative figure was suggested for construction costs that was based on building costs from 2015.”
She said a new €29.9 million budget was considered and approved by the department’s Programme Oversight Board in June 2021 based on prevailing market conditions.
The department said the project was given the go-ahead as a more “cost-effective option” than the continued use of rented premises.
Before the opening of Ireland House, the department rented a residence for the Irish Ambassador for an eye-watering €485,000 per year.
The overall rent bill in Tokyo for the Irish diplomatic mission and other staff was over €1 million annually.
The department said the agreed €29.9 million budget included construction costs, professional fees, furniture, and fittings.
The spokeswoman added that the final cost was likely to come in below that figure.