Leo leads pack in US for St Patrick’s week
Ministers’ worldwide destinations are revealed
THEY’RE only back from Christmas recess, but ministers are already planning their St Patrick’s Day foreign trips.
The intended destinations for ministers on their shamrock-wetting expeditions in March were announced by the Government yesterday – with Leo Varadkar leading the US delegation.
As Taoiseach, he will have his first Oval Office meeting with US president Donald Trump. However, he is expected to extend his stay in America, by visiting a number of states.
The diplomatic and marketing drive will also Heather Humphreys and Michael Ring attending parades Stateside. Junior ministers David Stanton, Ciarán Cannon and Brendan Griffin and Attorney General Séamus Wolfe will also take part.
Other far-flung destinations Programme: Simon Coveney this year include Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
For the second year in a row, Transport Minister Shane Ross will be the sole member of Government remaining at home.
Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney announced the ‘Promote Irefly land’ programme of international events in almost 40 countries across the globe.
He said there would be a comprehensive and strategic approach to high-level visits and trade missions, including St Patrick’s Day ministerial visits.
Mr Coveney himself is going to Hong Kong and China, while Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe is heading to Argentina.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan will travel to Australia, with junior minister Jim Daly also off Down Under, before going on to New Zealand.
Education Minister Richard Bruton will fly to Germany, while Health Minister Simon Harris is to visit Belgium and the Netherlands.
Canada beckons for Communications Minister Denis Naughten and junior minister Patrick O’Donovan. Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy, meanwhile, will to South Korea and Japan, while Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone is bound for Italy.
Government chief whip Joe McHugh is off to Brazil, with junior minister Catherine Byrne packing for Finland and Denmark, as junior food minister Andrew Doyle jets to Vietnam.
Announcing the destinations, with detailed planning now to begin, Mr Coveney said: ‘St Patrick’s Day provides a unique opportunity to promote Ireland on the international stage, and to renew strong bonds with the global Irish abroad and partners around the world.’
The only top politician bound for Africa is Minister for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, who is going to Kenya.
And for the first time, the Ceann Comhairle and Seanad’s Cathaoirleach, will join in the mass exodus. The Dáil chairman, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, goes to Croatia, while Seanad chair Denis O’Donovan will be in Slovenia and Bosnia Herzegovina.
Shane Ross to stay at home again