Jet-setting ministers promoting Ireland

THE Government last night issued a lengthy memo to defend the annual exodus of ministers to far-flung destinations for St Patrick’s Day.

Argentina, Canada, China, India, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam are among some of the exotic destinations to which Cabinet members and junior ministers will travel.

The trips cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of euro each year. Last year, for example, Foreign Affairs Minister Dermot Ahern’s visit to Dallas and Washington cost the Exchequer €51,000, while Community Affairs Minister Eamon Ó Cuiv’s journey to New Zealand cost €36,000.