Ministers go global as St Patrick’s Day nears

TWENTY-EIGHT Government Ministers are jetting off to 22 different countries for the annual St Patrick’s Day exodus as the Dáil shuts down for almost two weeks.

From Britain to Bahrain, ministers and, in many cases, their wives and husbands will spend up to a week “promoting modern Ireland overseas” - as a Government press release put it yesterday.

Even Attorney General Rory Brady is being dispatched to Russia as part of a worldwide goodwill junket designed to promote enterprise and science back home.

South Africa and Thailand are among just four third-world destinations listed as the Government focuses on increasing trade links with already dominant and emerging economies.

No less than ten ministers will travel to the US, including the Taoiseach and four senior Cabinet colleagues, while two senior ministers will represent Ireland in Britain.

Just two senior ministers, Willie O’Dea and Micheal Martin, will remain at home, along with junior ministers Mary Wallace and Brian Lenihan.

However, amid a continuing crime and health crisis at home, the Opposition yesterday called for the Dáil to sit next week, forcing the issue to a vote.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said he objected to the Dáil closure and demanded it should sit on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“The members who will be away all over the world will be very far removed from the anarchy on the streets of this city when they are representing their country,” he said.

“We have had drunkenness and disorder on the streets of Dublin on St Patrick’s Day in the last number of years. We had riots in this city just a fortnight ago and the danger in communities is palpable.”

Green Party leader Trevor Sargent said the break was unacceptable at a time when record numbers were lying on A&E trolleys.

“We are being asked to turn St Patrick’s Day into St Patrick’s week, which is unique for most people in this country who expect next Friday to be the only day that is a holiday.

“This Dáil should start to recognise that, outside this House, it is completely unacceptable, regardless of the explanations being put out, that some members are going to be on the other side of the world and therefore we all have to mark time,” he said.

Tánaiste Mary Harney said even Deputy Kenny as a minister had “joined Irish groups and associations in various parts of the world around our national feast day to help to promote this country’s business and tourism”.

Sports Minister John O’Donoghue, travelling to Manchester, said the Government was being represented in most of the country’s key tourism markets and other countries with potential for future growth.

“Towards this aim, I have provided all ministers travelling with comprehensive briefing packs on tourism,” he said.

Meanwhile, immigration and the stalled Northern peace process will dominate Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s annual St Patrick’s Day visit to the US.

Mr Ahern will begin his five day trip to the US in San Jose, California, on Monday, before travelling to Washington DC for top level talks with senior Congressional figures and President George Bush.