Ministers jet around the world for St Patrick’s Day

THE Taoiseach has announced the litany of far-flung destinations to which his Cabinet will be flying for St Patrick’s Day this year – but he warned like last year that costs are to be kept to a minimum.

According to Brian Cowen, he and his ministers will be focussing on job creation, investment and tourism.

He has told the 22 ministers and the Attorney General first class flights, limousines, hotel suites and the use of VIP lounges are out – unless there is a compelling reason to do so.

Mr Cowen will be flying to Washington DC for meetings with President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Tánaiste Mary Coughlan will be flying to Germany for engagements in Munich, Berlin and Dusseldorf.

Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith will visit Italy, taking in Rome and Milan, while Justice Minister Dermot Ahern visits Paris.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey will be in Atlanta. Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin travels to Philadelphia. Mary Harney heads to Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington.

Government Chief Whip Pat Carey will visit Houston and Dallas while Children’s Minister Barry Andrews will be taking in the Big Apple. It’s Toyko and Seoul while for Education Minister Batt O’Keeff while Energy Minister Eamon Ryan will be going to New Delhi and Mumbai. Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs Minister Eamon O Cuiv will be in Warsaw. Junior Minister at the Department of the Environment John Finneran is off to Beijing and Shanghai.

Trade and Commerce Minister Billy Kelleher will visit Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

Minister of State John Curran heads for London and Birmingham while John Moloney will be taking in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Last night, Mr Cowen said the Government use the national day of celebration as a “unique global platform and an opportunity to reflect on all that is best in our country”.