Ministers in line for more junkets

By Mary Regan, Political Reporter

Saturday, March 20, 2010

THEY are just unpacking their suitcases after St Patrick’s Day junkets.

And now ministers could be in for more foreign trips after the Government announced a new trade and tourism policy to "sell Ireland and raise the country’s profile abroad" in 2010.

A document circulated to all ministers by Tánaiste, Mary Coughlan, outlines plans to develop "a new strategy for trade, tourism and investment" which will be developed in the coming months. It said a number of "key trade missions to key markets" will take place this year which will be "invaluable in building on established business relationships, resulting in increased exports to existing markets and in creating openings in new markets and sectors."

The Jobs and Growth 2010 document, said embassies around the world will be asked to "identify opportunities to maximise the economical promotional potential of trade missions and other foreign ministerial itineraries".

It added that foreign missions "can be a particularly valuable catalyst in generating trade, especially in countries where political support for companies is an important factor in the local business culture."

Among the trade missions mentioned is Expo Shanghai which is taking place in October and at which the Irish Government will stage a pavilion costing €4.2m.

The document, given to ministers who participated on 23 separate delegations abroad during the past week, also says a review on enterprise strategy will be completed this year.

It said Patrick’s Day visits should "be used to reassure international commentators and business partners that Ireland is firmly on the road to recovery and is following a well-planned strategy to restore our prosperity".

The report said: "Government ministers will present a strong and focused economic message during St Patrick’s Day visits abroad which will emphasise that the hard decisions have been taken and that solid progress has been made in relation to the public finances, the banking sector and in relation to competitiveness."

Ministers will return to work on Tuesday when the Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, is expected to announced a Cabinet reshuffle in which at least two new senior ministers will be appointed.

Health Minister Mary Harney returns from her 15-day St Patrick’s Day trip to New Zealand today. Mr Cowen returned on Thursday from his United States trip, which included talks with President Barack Obama.

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, March 20, 2010