Ministering to the needs of Irish abroad

ST PATRICK’S greatest achievement was ridding Ireland of snakes.

And on a totally unrelated matter, all but one member of the Cabinet have banished themselves to foreign shores for the St Patrick's Day celebrations.

Their sacrifices for Ireland will never be forgotten: the selflessness of Liam Aylward who drew the short straw of a trip to New Zealand; Michael McDowell (South Africa); Mary Harney (China); Dick Roche (Malaysia and Hong Kong); Jim McDaid (Singapore); Tom Kitt (Australia); Eamon Ó Cuiv (New York); Dermot Ahern (Atlanta and Savannah); Noel Dempsey (Japan).