More than 30 Ministers, the Attorney General and chairperson of the Dáil and Seanad will travel abroad for St Patrick’s Day.
Tánaiste Simon Coveney has announced the details of the various trips Ministers will take on St Patrick's Day. Each will be asked to reinforce messages on Brexit, Northern Ireland, our campaign to become a member of the UN Security Council in 2021-22 and the economy.
Mr Coveney, who will visit China and Hong Kong, said Ministers will seek to build strategic alliances internationally in the context of a post-Brexit European Union.
The Tánaiste added: “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.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will travel to the United States for the annual St Patrick's Day visit to the White House.
Attorney General Séamus Wolfe will also travel to the US, as will Minister for Jobs Heather Humphreys, Ministers of State Michael D'Arcy, David Staunton, Brendan Griffin and Ciarán Cannon.
Minister for Transport Shane Ross will stay in Ireland for the second year in a row.
Ceann Comhairle Seán O’Fearghaíl and Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Dennis O’Donovan are also included in the St Patrick’s’s Day Programme.
Mr O'Fearghaíl will travel to Croatia, while Mr O'Donovan will visit Slovenia and Bosnia Herzegovina.
Government chief whip Joe McHugh will visit Brazil, Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy will visit Korea and Japan while Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan will travel to Australia.
Ministerial travels: Where in the World
USA
- Taoiseach Leo Varadkar
- Minister for Diaspora and Development, Ciaran Cannon
- Minister for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton
- Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring
- Attorney General Séamus Wolfe SC
- Minister for Financial Services Michael D'Arcy
- Minister for Business Heather Humphreys
China and Hong Kong
- Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney
Argentina
- Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe
Germany
- Minister for Education and Skills Richard Bruton
Australia
- Minister for Justice Charles Flanagan
The Netherlands and Belgium
- Minister for Health Simon Harris
UK
- Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed
Canada
- Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten
Ireland
- Minister for Transport Shane Ross
Italy
- Minister for Children Katherine Zappone
France
- Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty
Korea and Japan
- Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy
Norway and Sweden
- Minister for Culture Josepha Madigan
Brazil
- Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh
UAE and Oman
- Minister for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Lebanon and Cyprus
- Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe
Czech Republic
- Minister for Disability Issues Finian McGrath
Poland
- Minister for Urban Development Damian English
Scotland
- Minister for Trade Pat Breen
Denmark and Finland
- Minister for National Drugs Strategy Catherine Byrne
Vietnam
- Minister for Food Andrew Doyle
UK
- Minister for Training John Halligan
Switzerland
- Minister for Community Digital Development Sean Kyne
Canada
- Minister for Public Procurement Patrick O'Donovan
Austria and Slovakia
- Minister for European Affairs Helen McEntee
Kenya
- Minister for the Office of Public Works Kevin Boxer Moran
Singapore
- Minister for Local Government John Paul Phelan
Australia & New Zealand
- Minister for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly
Mexico & USA
- Minister for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin
Croatia
- Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl
Slovenia & Bosnia Herzegovina
- Cathaoirleach of the Seanad Senator Denis O'Donovan
