The Government has revealed details of the overseas trips of most of the Cabinet for St Patrick's Day.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern leaves on Sunday for Washington DC, where he will present the traditional bowl of shamrock to US president George Bush at the White House.
Tánaiste Brian Cowen will travel to Malaysia to represent the country while Minister for Enterprise Micheál Martin will be in Italy.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey will be travelling to Australia, Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern will fly to Argentina while Minister for Health Mary Harney will be attending Irish-themed events in Prague.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley travels in London while Minister Education Mary Hanafin will officiate at the St Patrick's Day Parade in New York.
Minister for European Affairs Dick Roche will spend St Patrick's day in China.
The only Cabinet member staying in Ireland is Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea.
The travel plans of the remaining Government members, including the Attorney General, will be announced later this week. A number of them are expected to travel to various US cities.
A Government spokesman confirmed the carbon footprint caused by thousands of miles of air travel by the Cabinet will be offset to protect the environment.