Fewer visits to focus on 'rebuilding reputation'

GOVERNMENT TRIPS:NINE CABINET members will travel abroad next week for St Patrick's Day, including Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who will meet US President Barack Obama in the White House in Washington DC.

None of the 15 Ministers of State appointed yesterday is scheduled to leave the State on official business, while six senior Ministers will also remain in Ireland.

Last year the then taoiseach Brian Cowen, 10 ministers, 11 junior ministers and the attorney general travelled to 24 countries to promote Ireland on March 17th.

Announcing the programme yesterday, Mr Kenny referred to St Patrick’s Day as a “unique global platform”. He confirmed ministerial travel would be restricted this year to eight destinations, including some of Ireland’s current major trading partners, as well as fast-growing emerging markets with future potential for trade.

“Rebuilding Ireland’s reputation is at the core of the Government’s objectives for its first 100 days in office,” Mr Kenny said.

“We will use the unique global platform that is St Patrick’s Day to give a clear message to the world that Ireland is open for business, that we have a bright future and that a historic process of political and economic renewal has begun.

“We will do this effectively, but in a way that ensures value for money. Travel will be restricted to a smaller number of destinations that are top priorities for Irish trade, business and jobs. Programmes will be shorter and more focused than in previous years.”

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore will travel to New York.

India is the destination for Fine Gael’s Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar, whose father is Indian.

Paris beckons for Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food Simon Coveney of Fine Gael, while Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn of Labour will travel to Italy, where he is scheduled to visit Rome and Milan.

Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald of Fine Gael will go to Australia and then on to Christchurch in New Zealand, which was recently struck by the nation’s deadliest earthquake in 80 years.

Fine Gael’s Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Affairs, will be in London from tomorrow until March 14th. Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton of Labour will be in London on St Patrick’s Day itself and the previous day.

Minister for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Richard Bruton of Fine Gael will travel to Germany.

Four Fine Gael Ministers will not travel. They are Minister for Finance Michael Noonan; Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Phil Hogan; Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter; and Minister for Health Dr James Reilly.

Labour’s Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin and Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte will also remain in Ireland.

Traditionally, the key elements of the Taoiseach’s programme include the presentation of shamrock to the US president and a meeting with the president in the Oval Office.

The meeting between Mr Obama and Mr Cowen last year covered among other things the push for global economic recovery and developments in Northern Ireland.

It has been confirmed that Mr Kenny’s two-day programme will include engagements with senior US figures from both the administration and Congress, including vice-president Joe Biden and speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner.

Mr Kenny is also expected to hold his first meeting since taking office with the Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson of the DUP and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness of Sinn Féin. He will also attend a series of events with a focus on Irish trade, tourism, culture, business and investment.

MINISTERS THE DESTINATIONS

Washington, DC

Taoiseach Enda Kenny

New York

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore

Paris

Minister for Agriculture, Marine Food Simon Coveney

Rome and Milan

Minister for Education Skills Ruairí Quinn

Australia and New Zealand (Christchurch)

Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald

London (March 12th - 14th)

Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht Affairs Jimmy Deenihan

London (March 16th & 17th)

Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton

Germany

Minister for Enterprise, Jobs Innovation Richard Bruton

India

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar