The government has spent over a quarter of a million euro on photography since coming to power three years ago.

Figures published by government departments show spending of over €276,000 euro on photo agencies for state events since March 2011.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has the highest spending, at €119,284.80, thanks largely to the high-profile state visits from the likes of Queen Elizabeth and Barack Obama.

The Department of Public Expenditure is the lowest-spending department, paying out just over €1,000 since it was officially founded three years ago.