merrion street

The Government has today decided on the overseas travel programme for St Patrick’s Day.

The programme involves travel programmes for the Taoiseach and 8 Ministers in 8 countries.

The Taoiseach, Mr Enda Kenny TD, will meet President Barack Obama in the White House on St Patrick’s Day.

The Taoiseach’s two-day programme in Washington, DC will also include engagements with senior US figures from both the Administration and the Congress, including Vice President Biden and Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner, as well as a range of engagements in support of Irish trade, tourism, culture, business and investment. He is also expected to hold his first meeting since taking office with the Northern Ireland First Minister and deputy First Minister.

The other destinations to be visited include some of Ireland’s major trading partners, as well as fast-growing emerging markets.

The full programme is:

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, TD, Minister for Agriculture, Marine & Food

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, TD, Minister for Education & Skills

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, TD, Minister for Children

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, TD, Minister for Arts, Heritage & Gaeltacht Affairs (12-14 March)

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, TD, Minister for Social Protection (16-17 March)

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, TD, Minister for Enterprise, Jobs & Innovation

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, TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport

The Taoiseach said:

Rebuilding Ireland’s reputation is at the core of the Government’s objectives for its first 100 days in office.

We will use the unique global platform that is St Patrick’s Day to give a clear message to the world that Ireland is open for business, that we have a bright future and that a historic process of political and economic renewal has begun.

We will do this effectively, but in a way that ensures value for money.

Travel will be restricted to a smaller number of destinations that are top priorities for Irish trade, business and jobs. Programmes will be shorter and more focused than in previous years