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The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charlie Flanagan TD, will travel to New York this evening (Wednesday) to undertake a busy programme of events as part of the Government’s St. Patrick’s Day programme.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City – the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world – will take place on Saturday, March, 16^th and Minister Flanagan will join members of An Garda Síochána at the parade.  In advance of the parade, he will meet with New York City Mayor, Bill de Blasio, at his official residence, Gracie Mansion.  Both the Minister and the Mayor will address invited guests at a special event to mark St. Patrick’s Day hosted by the Mayor.  The Minister will also attend a special St. Patrick’s Day mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

The following day – St. Patrick’s Day itself – the Minister will take part in the 44^th annual Brooklyn Parade, including speaking at a special 9/11 memorial event.

Minister Flanagan’s programme has a range of economic elements: - he will meet with a number of Enterprise Ireland and IDA clients and address invited guests at the US launch of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland’s Annual Report.  He will also address the Ireland Chamber of Commerce – USA and give the keynote address at a special conference, “Understanding Brexit”.

While in New York, the Minister will undertake a number of policing engagements.  He will meet with the NYPD Commissioner, James O’Neill and with other NYPD senior officers regarding organized crime.  The Minister will speak at a special event to mark the 21^st anniversary of the Detective Garda Jerry McCabe scholarship programme at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  The Minister will also address influential friends of the Consulate, including senior legal figures, on developments in Ireland, including Brexit and on initiatives including the new Brexit Legal Services Initiative.

In New York, the Minister will undertake a wide range of engagements at the United Nations. Ireland currently holds the chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and Minister Flanagan will participate in an event to promote Gender Equality in Public Institutions and Sustaining Peace.  He will also address a UN audience at the premiere film screening of Women, Peace and Power – a film which focuses of the important role of women in peace building in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Liberia.  Minister Flanagan will undertake a number of bilateral meetings and engagements to promote Ireland’s candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term.  The Minister will address guests at an event to mark St. Patrick’s Day hosted by Ireland’s Permanent Representative (Ambassador) to the UN.

Minister Flanagan will also participate in events to promote Irish culture, including an Irish Arts Center celebration of Irish / Appalachian Connections.