Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue will travel to to Kenya, Ethiopia and South Sudan, as part of the annual St Patrick’s week exodus of members of the Government to destinations worldwide.
A full list of visits was today unveiled by the Government.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar will travel to Washington DC and Boston and will visit the US capital and the Massachusetts’ state capital between March 12 and 17.
His visit expected to include a high-profile bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden in the Oval Office.
Among the other members of Government travelling abroad over the St Patrick’s Day period are Tánaiste Micheál Martin who will visit Canada.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan will go to Brazil, whilst Finance Minister Michael McGrath will travel to Canada, and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe will travel to France and Bulgaria.
Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney will travel to India and Bangladesh with Education Minister Norma Foley heading to the UK, including Edinburgh, Cardiff, Manchester and London.
Tourism Minister Catherine will travel to the cities of Nashville, Tennessee and Austin, Texas in the US.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien will travel to South Africa, and Zambia, while Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys will travel to Springfield, Chicago and Madison, Wisconsin in the US.
Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman will travel to Japan.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly will travel to Australia, including the cities of Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney.
Higher Education Minister Simon Harris will travel to London, while Justice Minister Helen McEntee will visit New York. Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton will travel to Singapore.
The two ‘super’ junior ministers who attend Cabinet, Road Safety Minister Jack Chambers and Biodiversity Minister Pippa Hackett, will travel to New Zealand and Finland, Estonia and Latvia respectively.
In a statement, the Government Press Office said St Patrick’s Day is “an unparalleled opportunity to promote Ireland as a great place to visit, work, study, trade with, and invest in. This year, in all, 38 representatives of the State will bring Ireland’s message to 86 cities in 48 countries”.
The theme of the trip will be “Ireland’s Future in the World”, the statement said. “Ministers will emphasise Ireland’s commitment to international peace and security and the rules-based multilateral system, especially at this time of conflict and turbulence,” it added.
“Other key messages will include the strength of Ireland’s economy, our active membership of the European Union, our commitment to protecting the Good Friday Agreement, and the high priority we attach to climate action and sustainability.
“Programmes undertaken by Ministers will strengthen our links with the diaspora and business leaders.
