Over 30 Ministers spreading the message on St Patrick’s Day

Tánaiste reveals details of ministerial itineraries in run up to Ireland’s national day

Ministers will be asked, among other things, to reinforce our message on Brexit, Northern Ireland and the economy. Photograph: Alan Betson/The Irish Times

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.”

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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

Germany

Australia

The Netherlands and Belgium

UK

Canada

Ireland

  • Minister for Transport Shane Ross

Italy

France

Korea and Japan

  • Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy

Norway and Sweden

Brazil

  • Government Chief Whip Joe McHugh

UAE and Oman

  • Minister for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O'Connor

Lebanon and Cyprus

Czech Republic

  • Minister for Disability Issues Finian McGrath

Poland

Scotland

Denmark and Finland

Vietnam

UK

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

Singapore

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