- During St. Patrick’s Day “Promote Ireland” Programmes, Ministers will take part in a wide range of meetings and activities to promote Ireland and Irish business across the world
- Ministers will launch the Global Footprint initiative as announced by the Taoiseach
- Ministers will reinforce key messages on Brexit, Northern Ireland, Ireland’s campaign to become a member of the UN Security Council in 2021-22, and the Irish economy
- Ministers will build strategic alliances internationally in the context of Phase II of Brexit and, looking forward, a post-Brexit European Union
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, today announced the “Promote Ireland” programme of international events which will see the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ministers and the Chief Whip taking part in programmes to promote Ireland and Irish interests in almost 40 countries across the globe.
Delivering a comprehensive, strategic approach to high-level visits and trade missions, including St. Patrick’s Day Ministerial programmes, is a key commitment of the Government’s trade strategy Ireland Connected, launched in March 2017 and an outcome of the recent Team Ireland Conference.
Announcing the St. Patrick’s Day ‘Promote Ireland’ programme for 2018, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney TD, said:
“The St. Patrick’s Day period provides a unique opportunity to promote Ireland on the international stage, and to renew the strong bonds between Ireland, the global Irish abroad, and our partners around the world.
“This year, the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Ministers and Ministers of State, and Chief Whip will undertake comprehensive programmes across countries in Europe, the Americas, the Pacific, Africa and the Middle East, in a truly global celebration of Ireland. The Ceann Comhairle and Cathaoirleach of the Seanad will also participate in this year’s “Promoting Ireland” programme.
“St. Patrick’s Day provides Ireland with an unparalleled opportunity to promote our political and economic interests abroad, as well as access to key political and business contacts in leading markets around world.
“This year’s St. Patrick’s Day programme will serve as a platform to launch the Global Footprint initiative as announced by the Taoiseach last August. This will include high-level goals to double Ireland’s influence and impact to 2025 in terms of promoting our values and our interests, including our economic interests. The initiative will reinforce Ireland’s economic progress, and promote Ireland as a leading centre of science and technology, R&D and international financial services, creativity, a competitive location for sourcing goods and investing, and an attractive destination for tourism and study. It will also emphasise Ireland’s ambitious approach to international relations, and role as a global citizen.
“St. Patrick’s Day will likewise be an opportunity to reinforce key messages on Brexit, Northern Ireland, Ireland’s campaign to become a member of the UN Security Council in 2021-22and the Irish economy. Outreach by Ministers during this year’s programme will help build strategic alliances in the context of Phase II of Brexit and, looking forward, a post-Brexit European Union.
“We look forward once again in 2018 to the greening of iconic international landmarks around the globe in celebration of Ireland’s National Day, as part of Tourism Ireland’s Global Greening Initiative. “
Notes for Editors:
An indicative list of St Patrick’s Day promotional destinations is below. Full programmes will be developed in the coming weeks by Irish Embassies and Consulates to deliver on Ireland’s promotional priorities, with the support of State Agencies. A finalised listing will be published in advance of St Patrick’s Day.
Country
USA An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar T.D.
China and Hong Kong Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney T.D.
Argentina Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure & Reform, Paschal Donohoe T.D.
Germany Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton T.D.
Australia Minister for Justice and Equality Charles Flanagan T.D.
USA Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys T.D.
The Netherlands and Belgium Minister for Health Simon Harris T.D.
UK Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed T.D.
Canada Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Denis Naughten T.D.
Ireland Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross T.D.
Italy Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone T.D.
USA Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring T.D.
France Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D.
Korea and Japan Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Eoghan Murphy T.D.
Norway and Sweden Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan T.D.
Brazil Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh T.D.
UAE and Oman Minister for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor T.D.
Lebanon and Cyprus Minister for Defence, Paul Kehoe T.D.
Czech Republic Minister for Disability Issues, Finian McGrath T.D.
USA Minister for Diaspora and Development, Ciaran Cannon T.D.
Poland Minister for Housing and Urban Development Damian English T.D.
USA Minister for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton T.D.
Scotland Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection Pat Breen T.D.
Denmark and Finland Minister for National Drugs Strategy & Health Promotion, Catherine Byrne T.D.
Vietnam Minister for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, Andrew Doyle T.D.
UK Minister for Training, Skills, Innovation and Research and Development, John Halligan T.D.
Switzerland Minister for Community, Natural Resources and Digital Development, Sean Kyne T.D.
Canada Minister for Public Procurement, Open Government and eGovernment Patrick O’Donovan T.D.
Austria and Slovakia Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee T.D.
Kenya Minister for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin Boxer Moran T.D.
Singapore Minister for Local Government and Electoral Reform, John Paul Phelan T.D.
Australia & New Zealand Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Jim Daly T.D.
Mexico & USA Minister for Tourism and Sport, Brendan Griffin T.D.
USA Minister for Financial Services and Insurance, Michael D’Arcy T.D.
USA Attorney General Seamus Wolfe SC
Croatia Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail T.D.
Slovenia & Bosnia Herzegovina Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Senator Denis O’Donovan